Overvoltage-arrester device for terminal- or junction blocks in telecommunication equipment

Claim 1

A modular exchangeable overvoltage arrester device for terminal or junction blocks in telecommunication equipment, said device being adapted to accommodate a plurality of different laterally adjacent overvoltage arresters, said device comprising: a plug-in-type housing of electrically insulating material comprising: a housing base; a housing top removably attachable to said housing base; a plurality of contact blades projecting from said housing for making external electrical interconnections; said housing top being shaped and configured to selectively receive a plurality of different switch prongs and earth bars thereby forming different versions of said housing, each such version being adapted to receive a distinct configuration of arrester elements; a first of said housing versions being adapted to receive standard commercial 6×8 and 8×8 arrester elements and comprising: a plurality of spring loaded single blade first switch prongs arranged in two confronting rows adjacent the sides of said housing top; and a first earth bar positioned between said rows of first switch prongs; said first switch prongs and said earth bar being configured and adapted to engagingly hold said arresters therebetween in opposite pairs, one on either side of said first earth bar, thereby making appropriate electrical contact with said first switch prongs and said first earth bar; a second of said housing versions being adapted to receive standard commercial twin arresters, each of said arresters having three pins projecting from the bottom thereof, said second housing comprising: a plurality of second switch prongs comprised of pairs of juxtaposed spring blades arranged in two confronting rows adjacent the sides of said housing top; 2 a second earth bar positioned between said rows of said second switch prongs; and a plurality of spring arm pairs mounted to said second earth bar; each of said second switch prong pairs being adapted to engagingly hold one of the pins of said twin arrester, there being two of said second switch prong pairs for each said twin arrester thereby electrically contacting two of the pins of said twin arrester, each of said spring arm pairs being adapted to engagingly hold the third pin of said twin arrester, thereby making positive electrical ground contact; each of said first and second switch prongs and each of said earth bars being connected to one of said externally projecting contact blades.