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EP1887667B2 - Ignition device with two electrodes for a spark gap and corresponding methods - Google Patents

Ignition device with two electrodes for a spark gap and corresponding methods Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1887667B2
EP1887667B2 EP07356113.6A EP07356113A EP1887667B2 EP 1887667 B2 EP1887667 B2 EP 1887667B2 EP 07356113 A EP07356113 A EP 07356113A EP 1887667 B2 EP1887667 B2 EP 1887667B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
branch
electrodes
tripping
protection device
main
Prior art date
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Application number
EP07356113.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1887667B1 (en
EP1887667A1 (en
Inventor
Jean Bernard Ducourneau
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ABB France SAS
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ABB France SAS
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Publication of EP1887667B1 publication Critical patent/EP1887667B1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01T2/00—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means
    • H01T2/02—Spark gaps comprising auxiliary triggering means comprising a trigger electrode or an auxiliary spark gap
    • 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
    • H01T1/00—Details of spark gaps
    • H01T1/14—Means structurally associated with spark gap for protecting it against overload or for disconnecting it in case of failure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the general technical field of devices for protecting installations and electrical equipment against overvoltages, especially against transient overvoltages due to lightning.
  • the present invention more particularly relates to an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, as known from FR-A-2,880,468 and of CH 486 788 .
  • the present invention also relates to a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages, said device being provided with a first and a second connection terminal intended to be connected to said electrical installation.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of triggering an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap.
  • the present invention finally relates to a method of manufacturing an electrical component comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap.
  • surge arrester or " surge protector” have the essential purpose of grounding fault currents and clipping the overvoltages to values compatible with the behavior of the installation electrical equipment and the equipment to which they are connected.
  • Known surge arresters may be based on different technologies depending on the nature of the protection component they implement.
  • spark gap arresters are known, that is to say using as protection component a device comprising two electrodes placed facing each other, one being electrically connected to the phase to be protected while the the other is electrically connected to the earth. Said electrodes are separated by an insulating zone, formed for example by a gas strip, such as air, or by a dielectric body.
  • This ignition voltage which depends in particular on the distance separating the two electrodes forming the spark gap, is particularly high, generally of the order of several kilovolts.
  • a spark gap arrester can only trip and discharge the fault current to ground when the overvoltage applied to its terminals exceeds the starting voltage.
  • the existence of such a trip threshold has the consequence that the electrical installation to which the spark gap arrester is connected may be exposed, repeatedly, to overvoltages whose value lies between the nominal voltage of operation and the starting voltage.
  • spark gap arresters In order to reduce the starting voltage of spark gap arresters, which in particular means reducing their response time with respect to transient overvoltages, it is known to provide these arresters with pre-triggering auxiliaries which favor the firing an arc when the spark gap is subjected to a surge.
  • the voltage necessary to create a certain spark between the needle and the main electrode is about 7 kilovolts if the distance between said needle and said main electrode is 2 millimeters.
  • the time required to establish an electric arc between the two main electrodes is then of the order of 7 to 8 microseconds.
  • the arresters of the prior art generally use electronic trigger circuits, which often prove to be a weak point of said surge arresters, both technically and on the economic plan.
  • the known tripping circuits which often use a large number of expensive components, are particularly sensitive to the stresses to which they are subjected during the operation of the arrester and age rapidly when they are stressed for the purpose of the flow of fault currents. This relative fragility of the trip circuit tends in practice to prematurely cause the failure of the arrester as a whole, even though the main protective spark gap is still functional.
  • the triggering time of the known spark gap arresters remains relatively high with respect to the characteristic durations of the transient disturbances, so that the level of protection conferred by them remains relatively poor.
  • known spark gap arresters can generally not be used as “Type 2 " surge arresters, that is to say as secondary arresters that offer resistance to indirect lightning currents (modeled by a shock wave 8/20) whose role is to clip surges so that they are not dangerous for sensitive electrical equipment.
  • varistor-type protection components which are particularly expensive and less enduring than spark-gaps vis-Ă -vis the lightning strikes.
  • the objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a protection device comprising a new electric spark gap type component which has an improved priming capability.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a new protection device comprising a spark gap-type electric component which is particularly simple, compact and has an optimized cost price.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a new protection device comprising a spark gap type electric component which simplifies the installation and maintenance operations.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages which confers an optimized level of protection to the installation to which it is connected.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages that is simple in design and has an optimized cost.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages which has an increased longevity.
  • a protection device comprising an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises at least a first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes, said first and second trigger elements being arranged such that a disruptive discharge can occur between them and the occurrence of said discharge disruptive can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes.
  • the objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages, said device being provided with a first and a second connection terminal intended to be connected to said electrical installation, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical component according to the present invention, the first and the second main electrode of said electrical component being electrically connected to said electrical installation to be protected via said first and second connection terminals.
  • a method of triggering an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises a step (a) during which there is shown a disruptive discharge between at least a first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes, so that the occurrence of said disruptive discharge can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes of said spark gap.
  • a method of manufacturing an electrical component comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises a step (E 1 ) during which one associates at least one first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes and a step (E 2 ) in which said first and second trigger elements are arranged in such a way that a disruptive discharge may occur between them and the occurrence of said disruptive discharge may cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes.
  • the electrical component 1 comprises at least a first main electrode 2 and a second main electrode 3, said main electrodes being arranged to form a spark gap 4.
  • Said first and second main electrodes are separated by an inter-electrode space 5 formed of an insulating material, such as gas, in particular air, or a dielectric solid body.
  • an insulating material such as gas, in particular air, or a dielectric solid body.
  • the electrical component 1 comprises at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both of which are distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3, and arranged in such a way that a disruptive discharge 12 may appear between them and the appearance of said disruptive discharge 12 may cause the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.
  • the use of a pair of trigger elements 10, 11 separate from the main electrodes 2, 3 facilitates the appearance of the arc. electrical 6 by accelerating the ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 and reducing the necessary starting voltage between the first and the second main electrode, compared to what would be observed in a spark gap comprising two main electrodes and a single trigger element.
  • such an arrangement according to the invention is also likely to limit the intensity of the electric current flowing through the triggering elements 10, 11.
  • the first trigger element 10 is formed by a first auxiliary electrode 14.
  • the second trigger element 11 is preferably formed by a second auxiliary electrode 15.
  • the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 extend, at least in part, into the inter-electrode space 5 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3.
  • the electrical environment between said auxiliary electrodes 2, 3 can be modified, in particular by ionizing the corresponding part of the internal space. electrodes 5, and thus create, in the vicinity of the main electrodes 2, 3, conditions conducive to the initiation of an electric arc 6.
  • the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 delimit a flared, preferably substantially V-shaped, inter-electrode gap 5, said inter-electrode gap 5 extending between a narrow section 5A and a wide section 5B.
  • This variant embodiment of the electrical component 1 according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for the production of a device of the lightning arrestor type intended firstly to rapidly discharge the fault current caused by the arc 6 to the ground. by an overvoltage affecting an electrical installation to be protected and on the other hand to extinguish the electric arc just after the flow of said fault current to cut the current away and ensure continuity of service.
  • the first and second trigger elements 10, 11 are preferably located at the narrow section 5A of the inter-electrode space 5.
  • do the disruptive discharge 12 appears in the vicinity of said narrow section 5A, in particular at the base of the V formed by the main electrodes 2, 3 advantageously makes it possible to exploit the area of the spark gap 4 that is most favorable for the appearance of the electric arc 6.
  • the electrical component 1 according to the invention is in no way limited to a particular geometry of the main electrodes 2, 3, nor to any particular arrangement of the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15.
  • the first and the second second trigger element 10, 11 can be recessed, flush or project into the inter-electrode space 5.
  • the assembly formed by the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 is substantially centered between the first and the second main electrode 2, 3.
  • the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15 are preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to said plane P.
  • the main electrodes 2, 3 consist of substantially flat conductive strips arranged opposite one another so as to form a V whose sagittal plane also corresponds to the sagittal plane of the pair. of auxiliary electrodes 14, 15.
  • the smallest functional distance d 1 which separates the first trigger element 10 from the second trigger element 11 is substantially smaller than the smallest functional distance d 2 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3 .
  • the minimum functional distance d 1 will preferably correspond to the gap between the active tip 14A of the first auxiliary electrode 14 and the active tip 15A of the second auxiliary electrode 15, that is to say between the ends of said electrodes auxiliaries between which it is sought to show the disruptive discharge 12 (shown in dashed lines).
  • the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 may be coated or surrounded by an insulating sheath outside their active tips 14A, 15A which remain exposed, so that the disruptive discharge 12 can appear only in a predetermined functional zone, located substantially at said active points 14A, 15A.
  • the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 may be generally parallel and present locally a zone of approach, such as a constriction constituted by two conductive protuberances projecting towards each other from said auxiliary electrodes, so that the disruptive discharge 12 will appear preferentially at said approach zone.
  • the functional distance separating the main electrodes 2, 3 in the variant embodiment shown in FIG. figure 1 will correspond to the spacing (variable) of the branches of the V, the minimum functional distance d 2 being measured at the narrow section 5A of said V.
  • the voltage required to cause the occurrence of a disruptive discharge 12 between the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 distant from d 1 is advantageously lower than that required for the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the main electrodes 2, 3 distant from d 2 .
  • the triggering elements 10, 11, and more particularly the active tips 14A, 15A of the auxiliary electrodes are sufficiently distant from the main electrodes 2, 3 to avoid any parasitic electric arc formation, c that is, a short-circuit between a trigger element 10, 11 and a main electrode 2, 3, in the normal operation of the component 1.
  • the preferential spatial arrangement of the elements 10, 11 and main electrodes 2, 3 prevents the main electric arc 6 " catches " one of the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 and is established between a main electrode and an auxiliary electrode .
  • the component 1 according to the invention makes it possible to dissociate substantially the control circuit, serving to stimulate the initiation by means of an ephemeral disruptive discharge, of the power circuit by which flow strong currents.
  • component 1 may advantageously make it possible to separate the tripping and flow functions by dedicating each to a separate circuit.
  • the triggering elements 10, 11, and more particularly the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, can then advantageously be designed to cause and support " only " a disruptive discharge 12 of moderate power and short duration (spark), while the main electrodes 2, 3 are designed to be able to discharge a high intensity electric current in the form of a relatively more durable electric arc 6, in particular caused by a transient surge due to lightning .
  • the distance d 1 is less than 30% of the distance d 2 , and even more preferably between 10% and 20% of the distance d 2 .
  • the minimum functional distance d 1 separating the first trigger element 10 from the second trigger element 11, and more particularly the first auxiliary electrode 14 from the second auxiliary electrode 15, is between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, while the smallest functional distance d 2 separating the main electrodes 2, 3 is about 3.5 mm.
  • An electrical component 1 can therefore advantageously be used for the production of Type 2 surge arresters. Indeed, since such a component allows the early initiation of an electric arc 6 between its main electrodes 2, 3 when it is subject to a surge caused by lightning, that is to say, it has a relatively low boot voltage, it offers a level of protection perfectly compatible with the holding of relatively sensitive electrical equipment.
  • the main electrodes 2, 3 and the triggering elements 10, 11 are integrated in the same insulating casing having at least four electrical connection poles, for example pins projecting from a face of said casing, of which two are respectively connected to the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 and two are respectively connected to the first and second trigger elements 10, 11.
  • the component 1 can therefore advantageously be in the form of a removable cartridge intended for example to be plugged onto a fixed base.
  • Such an arrangement confers an interchangeability component 1 and therefore facilitates its implementation or its replacement during installation or maintenance of the electrical equipment in which it is used.
  • the electrical component 1 may constitute an encapsulated spark gap closed at atmospheric pressure or a sealed spark gap GDT (Gas Discharge Tube).
  • GDT Gas Discharge Tube
  • spark gap 4 and trigger elements 10, 11 has mainly been described.
  • shape, the dimensions and the arrangement of electrical component 1, and in particular those of main electrodes 2 , 3 and release elements 10, 11, may be subject to modifications or adaptation without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the present invention also relates to the particular use of an electrical component 1 as described above within a protection device 20 of an electrical installation against overvoltages, especially against transient overvoltages due for example to lightning.
  • electrical installation refers to any type of device or network powered electrically and likely to experience voltage disturbances, including transient overvoltages due to lightning.
  • the protective device 20 according to the invention may therefore in particular constitute a surge arrester.
  • the device 20 may advantageously constitute a Type 2 surge arrester in the sense of the IEC 61643-1 standard.
  • spark gap 4 as a protection component in this type of arrester advantageously makes it possible to reconcile increased endurance and lower cost of the device 20 with respect to the Type 2 surge arresters of the prior art which resorts to varistors to form the power circuit.
  • the protection device 20 is in particular intended to be connected bypass (" in parallel ”) on the electrical installation to be protected, and more particularly to be arranged between a phase of the installation to be protected and the earth . It is also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the device 1 is connected between the neutral and the earth, between the phase and the neutral, or between two phases to achieve a differential protection.
  • first connection terminal 21 In order to allow the electrical connection of said device 20 to said electrical installation, it is provided with a first connection terminal 21 and a second connection terminal 22.
  • the protective device 20 comprises at least one electrical component 1 according to the invention, the first and the second main electrode 2, 3 of said electrical component 1 being electrically connected to said electrical installation to be protected. via said connection terminals 21, 22.
  • connection terminals 21, 22 may be doubled to allow for example the simultaneous electrical connection to each of said terminals 21, 22 of two separate conductive elements, such as that cables, especially from the installation to be protected.
  • connection terminal 21, 22 and the corresponding main electrode 2, 3 may be direct or indirect.
  • other components in series with the electrical component 1 according to the invention may be associated with other components in series with the electrical component 1 according to the invention.
  • the protection device 20 comprises an activation means 23 connected to the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 for generating a disruptive discharge 12 between said first and second triggering elements 10, 11 so as to be able to cause the triggering an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.
  • said activation means 23 is sensitive to the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22 of the device 20 and designed to generate a disruptive discharge 12 between the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 when said voltage passes a predetermined threshold.
  • the activation means 23 is designed to create a potential difference between the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 and more particularly between the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15.
  • the first or the second trigger element 10, 11 may be electrically connected to the secondary circuit of a transformer TX1 so that it is possible to vary the potential of said trigger element by circulating an electric current. in the primary circuit of said first transformer TX1.
  • the activation means 23 comprises an electronic circuit in parallel associating a gas spark gap 24 and a capacitor C 1 so that, when said gas spark gap 24 is triggered, it bypasses said capacitor C 1 which discharges into the primary circuit of the transformer TX1.
  • the protection device 20 is not limited to a particular embodiment of the activation means 23, other schemes that can be envisaged to generate an electric field, and in particular a voltage pulse, between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15.
  • the protection device 20 makes it possible to separate the control circuit comprising the activation means 23 and the trip elements 10, 11 of the power circuit formed by the main electrodes 2, 3.
  • the separation can also be carried out or supplemented by separation means, for example electronic means, capable of limiting the intensity of the current flowing in the control circuit, and thus avoiding in particular that said control circuit does not spontaneously tend to short circuit all or part of the power circuit.
  • separation means for example electronic means, capable of limiting the intensity of the current flowing in the control circuit, and thus avoiding in particular that said control circuit does not spontaneously tend to short circuit all or part of the power circuit.
  • separation means for example electronic means, capable of limiting the intensity of the current flowing in the control circuit, and thus avoiding in particular that said control circuit does not spontaneously tend to short circuit all or part of the power circuit.
  • FIG. figure 3 does not differ from that illustrated in figure 2 by the arrangement of the varistors V 1 , V 2 , V 4 which makes it possible to define the limits and the distribution of the electric current likely to flow in the first auxiliary electrode 14 and in the gas spark gap 24.
  • control circuit 10, 11, 23 according to the invention is not stressed at each boot cycle of the spark gap 4, both in power and duration.
  • the activation means 23 is formed by a first varistor V 5 which preferably directly connects the first connection terminal 21 to the first trigger element 10 and a second varistor V 6 which connects, preferably directly, the second connection terminal 22 to the second trigger element 11.
  • Such an activation means unlike those capable of being implemented on the basis of the variants represented on the Figures 2 and 3 , does not have a TX1 voltage amplifier, and simply exploits the " natural " booting phenomenon that allows the occurrence of a disruptive discharge 12 between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 when an overvoltage is applied to the connection terminals 21, 22.
  • the rapidity of appearance of said disruptive discharge 12 due to the proximity of said auxiliary electrodes, and the effectiveness of the ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 which results gives this variant of the device 20 performance in terms of response time significantly greater than that of a spark gap 4 alone.
  • the first and the second varistor V 5 , V 6 simultaneously fulfill the roles of activation means 23 and separation means with respect to the power circuit.
  • the protection device 20 may comprise operating indicators 26, as well as safety fusible bridges 25 intended to open the power circuit and / or the control circuit in the event that it flows through a circuit.
  • abnormally high current or abnormally high intensity for example when the spark gap 4 reaches the end of its life under the effect of a conductive pollution.
  • the device 20 comprises a first and a second branch 20A, 20B, each branch containing a component 1, 1 'as described above respectively associated with a corresponding activation means 23, 23'.
  • Said first and second branches 20A, 20B are preferably associated in series to connect together the connection terminals 21, 22 and thus form a power circuit comprising two successive spark gaps 4, 4 '.
  • the elements of the second branch 20B repeat the references of their counterparts of the first branch 20A, with a symbol "'" (prime).
  • the device 20 thus obtained corresponds to the " mirror " association of two identical " simple “ devices, for example similar to that illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .
  • the gaps 4, 4 ' can be electrically connected to each other by means of a " comb " 30 forming the midpoint of the power circuit.
  • the common of the transformer TX1 of the activation circuit 23 of the first branch 20A will preferably be electrically connected to the second connection terminal 22 by a first connecting element 31, while the common of the transformer TX1 'of the circuit d activation 23 'of the second branch 20B will preferably be electrically connected to the first connection terminal 21 by a second connecting element 32.
  • the respective activation means 23, 23 ' are preferably arranged to cooperate in order to cause the simultaneous appearance, between the first and second triggering elements 10, 11, 10', 11 'of each two gaps 4, 4 ', a disruptive discharge 12, 12', so as to place substantially simultaneously said spark gaps in conditions conducive to their respective priming.
  • the assembly formed by the two branches 20A, 20B can advantageously switch quickly to its on state to discharge the fault current, the device 1 having more particularly a global response time, between the occurrence of a surge at its connection terminals 21, 22 and the flow of the fault current through the gaps 4, 4 'between said terminals 21, 22, substantially equal to the response time of a single branch considered separately.
  • the starting voltage of the assembly formed by the two branches 20A, 20B in series will be substantially equal to the ignition voltage of only one of said branches, and not randomly between the voltage of initiation of a branch and the sum of the respective starting voltages of each of the two branches.
  • Such an arrangement therefore makes it possible either to increase the nominal voltage (operating voltage) at the terminals 21, 22 of the device 20 without increasing the starting voltage of the latter or reducing its breaking capacity of the current (after the flow of the defect), or, conversely, to improve the breaking capacity of the device 20 for a given operating voltage.
  • the protection component 1 When the device 20 is electrically connected to an electrical installation to be protected by means of its connection terminals 21, 22, the protection component 1 can be traversed by a discharge current.
  • the protection component 1, and more particularly the spark gap 4 is in its state blocker.
  • the transformer TX1 converts, and preferably amplifies, this current pulse into a voltage pulse applied to the second auxiliary electrode 15, so that a potential difference appears between the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15.
  • the electrical power and more particularly the intensity of the current flowing through the trip elements 10, 11 during their activation remains moderate thanks to the separation varistors V 1 , V 2 , V 3 .
  • This avoids, in particular, the formation of a high-power arc between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, which would have the double negative consequence of disrupting the operation of the installation to be protected because of the difficulty it It would have to be extinguished because of the mutual proximity of said auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, and secondly to cause accelerated aging, or even destruction, of the control circuit.
  • This ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 facilitates the switching of the spark gap 4 in its conducting state. It indeed leads to the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the main electrodes 2, 3 for a priming voltage applied between said main electrodes 2, 3 much lower than that which would be necessary for the breakdown of the insulation filling the inter-electrode gap 5 in the absence of the trigger elements 10, 11 (or in the absence of activation thereof). Thus, the response time of the device 20 is considerably shortened.
  • the spark gap 4 When the arc 6 is initiated, the spark gap 4 is able to discharge the high intensity fault current caused by the overvoltage.
  • control circuit according to the invention is solicited for a very short time due to the rapidity of the priming of the arc 6 and therefore the transfer of the energy flow of said control circuit to said power circuit.
  • the electric arc 6 formed between the main electrodes 2, 3 tends to be blown towards the interrupting chamber 16 which facilitates its extinction after the flow of the fault current.
  • Said triggering method comprises a step (a) in which a disruptive discharge 12 is shown between at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both of which are distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3 , the occurrence of said disruptive discharge 12 can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 of said spark gap 4.
  • step (a) comprises a substep (a 1 ) during which a potential difference is applied between a first auxiliary electrode 14 and a second auxiliary electrode 15 which extend, at least in part, in the inter-electrode space 5 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3.
  • said triggering method when applied to an electrical component 1 within an overvoltage protection device 20 as described above, can constitute a method of protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages.
  • said method may comprise a step (b) in which the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22 is evaluated and it is decided to implement step (a) if said voltage exceeds a value predetermined threshold.
  • the steps (a) and (b) can be intimately linked by the use of an activation means 23 sensitive to the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22, as described above, in order to stimulate the initiation of an electric arc 6 concomitantly with the appearance of an overvoltage audites terminals 21, 22.
  • an electrical component 1 comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode 2, 3 forming a spark gap 4, said manufacturing method comprising a step (E 1 ) during of which is associated with said spark gap 4 at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3, and a step (E 2 ) in which one arranging said first and second triggering elements 10, 11 such that a disruptive discharge can occur between them and that the occurrence of said disruptive discharge can cause the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.
  • steps (E 1 ) and (E 2 ) can advantageously be simultaneous and merged.
  • the step (E 1 ) may comprise a substep during which the spark gap 4 formed by said first and second main electrodes 2 3 prefabricated subassembly comprising the first and the second triggering element 10, 11.
  • a new trigger subassembly comprising for example two auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 held in a base insulating of appropriate dimensions, said base being connectable between the main electrodes 2, 3 of the existing spark gap.
  • the aforementioned manufacturing method can be implemented for the production of an overvoltage protection device 20 according to the invention, and constitute for example a lightning arrester manufacturing method.
  • such a method of manufacturing an overvoltage protection device 20 further comprises a step (E 3 ) in which the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 are electrically connected to an activation means 23 as described. previously.
  • the electrical component 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to provide particularly effective overvoltage protection devices which make it possible to reconcile the good resistance of spark gaps with respect to lightning currents with a low starting voltage.
  • the excellent level of protection afforded by the electrical component according to the invention allows in particular its use in Type 2 surge arresters according to the IEC 61643-1 standard.
  • Such surge arresters in accordance with the invention combine robustness and simplicity, and therefore have increased durability and reduced manufacturing cost, particularly with respect to prior art devices which employ varistors as protection components.

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  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

Abstract

The component has two main electrodes (2, 3) arranged so as to form a spark-gap (4), and trigger elements (10, 11) distinct from the main electrodes. The trigger elements are arranged such that a disruptive discharge (12) appears between the trigger elements to cause a sparkover of an electric arc (6) between the electrodes. The trigger elements are formed by auxiliary electrodes (14, 15). The elements extend in an inter-electrode space (5) that separates the main electrode (2) from the main electrode (3). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for triggering an electric component (2) a method for manufacturing an electric component.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine technique général des dispositifs de protection d'installations et d'équipements électriques contre les surtensions, notamment contre les surtensions transitoires dues à la foudre.The present invention relates to the general technical field of devices for protecting installations and electrical equipment against overvoltages, especially against transient overvoltages due to lightning.

La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un composant électrique comprenant au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur, comme connu de FR-A-2 880 468 et de CH 486 788 .The present invention more particularly relates to an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, as known from FR-A-2,880,468 and of CH 486 788 .

La présente invention concerne également un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions, ledit dispositif étant pourvu d'une première et d'une seconde borne de raccordement destinées à être raccordées à ladite installation électrique.The present invention also relates to a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages, said device being provided with a first and a second connection terminal intended to be connected to said electrical installation.

La présente invention concerne également un procédé de déclenchement d'un composant électrique comprenant au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur.The present invention also relates to a method of triggering an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap.

La présente invention concerne enfin un procédé de fabrication d'un composant électrique comprenant une étape de réalisation d'au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur.The present invention finally relates to a method of manufacturing an electrical component comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap.

Il est connu d'utiliser des dispositifs de protection d'installations électriques afin de préserver ces dernières des surtensions, en particulier des surtensions transitoires provoquées par des phénomènes atmosphériques de foudre ou encore par des incidents de manoeuvre au niveau des réseaux.It is known to use protective devices of electrical installations in order to preserve them from overvoltages, in particular transient overvoltages caused by lightning atmospheric phenomena or by maneuvering incidents at the level of the networks.

Ces dispositifs de protection, généralement désignés par l'appellation « parafoudre » ou encore « parasurtenseur » ont pour but essentiel d'écouler à la terre les courants de défaut et d'écrêter les surtensions à des valeurs compatibles avec la tenue de l'installation électrique et des équipements auxquels ils sont raccordés.These protection devices, generally designated by the term " surge arrester " or " surge protector " have the essential purpose of grounding fault currents and clipping the overvoltages to values compatible with the behavior of the installation electrical equipment and the equipment to which they are connected.

Les parafoudres connus peuvent être basés sur des technologies différentes selon la nature du composant de protection qu'ils mettent en oeuvre.Known surge arresters may be based on different technologies depending on the nature of the protection component they implement.

On connaît en particulier des parafoudres à éclateur, c'est-à-dire utilisant en tant que composant de protection un dispositif comprenant deux électrodes placées en vis-à-vis, l'une étant connectée électriquement à la phase à protéger tandis que l'autre est connectée électriquement à la terre. Lesdites électrodes sont séparées par une zone isolante, formée par exemple par une lame de gaz, tel que de l'air, ou encore par un corps diélectrique.In particular, spark gap arresters are known, that is to say using as protection component a device comprising two electrodes placed facing each other, one being electrically connected to the phase to be protected while the the other is electrically connected to the earth. Said electrodes are separated by an insulating zone, formed for example by a gas strip, such as air, or by a dielectric body.

Lorsque la tension électrique entre ies deux électrodes atteint un niveau prédéterminé, il se produit un phénomène d'amorçage conduisant à l'établissement d'un arc électrique entre lesdites électrodes. Ledit arc électrique crée un court-circuit qui permet l'écoulement du courant de défaut à la terre, ce qui a pour effet de protéger les équipements connectés en aval du parafoudre.When the voltage between the two electrodes reaches a predetermined level, there is a priming phenomenon leading to the establishment of an electric arc between said electrodes. Said electric arc creates a short circuit that allows the flow of the fault current to earth, which has the effect of protecting the equipment connected downstream of the surge arrester.

Bien qu'ils procurent une certaine protection vis-à-vis des chocs de foudre, de tels parafoudres à éclateur souffrent cependant d'inconvénients non négligeables liés à leur amorçage.Although they provide some protection against lightning strikes, such lightning arresters nevertheless suffer from significant disadvantages related to their initiation.

En effet, pour qu'un arc électrique se forme entre lesdites électrodes, il est nécessaire d'appliquer entre celles-ci une différence de potentiel importante afin de créer un champ électrique d'intensité suffisante pour provoquer le claquage de la zone isolante, par exemple l'ionisation de la lame d'air.Indeed, for an electric arc to form between said electrodes, it is necessary to apply between them a significant potential difference in order to create an electric field of sufficient intensity to cause the breakdown of the insulating zone, by example the ionization of the air space.

Cette tension d'amorçage, qui dépend notamment de la distance séparant les deux électrodes formant l'éclateur, est particulièrement élevée, généralement de l'ordre de plusieurs kilovolts.This ignition voltage, which depends in particular on the distance separating the two electrodes forming the spark gap, is particularly high, generally of the order of several kilovolts.

Or, ladite tension d'amorçage conditionne directement le niveau de protection du parafoudre. En effet, un parafoudre à éclateur ne peut se déclencher et écouler le courant de défaut à la terre que lorsque la surtension appliquée à ses bornes dépasse la tension d'amorçage. L'existence d'un tel seuil de déclenchement a pour conséquence que l'installation électrique à laquelle est raccordé le parafoudre à éclateur est susceptible d'être exposée, de manière répétée, à des surtensions dont la valeur est comprise entre la tension nominale de fonctionnement et la tension d'amorçage.However, said triggering voltage directly conditions the protection level of the surge arrester. In fact, a spark gap arrester can only trip and discharge the fault current to ground when the overvoltage applied to its terminals exceeds the starting voltage. The existence of such a trip threshold has the consequence that the electrical installation to which the spark gap arrester is connected may be exposed, repeatedly, to overvoltages whose value lies between the nominal voltage of operation and the starting voltage.

Afin de réduire la tension d'amorçage des parafoudres à éclateur, ce qui revient notamment à réduire leur temps de réponse vis-à-vis des surtensions transitoires, il est connu de doter ces parafoudres d'auxiliaires de pré-déclenchement qui favorisent l'amorçage d'un arc lorsque l'éclateur est soumis à une surtension.In order to reduce the starting voltage of spark gap arresters, which in particular means reducing their response time with respect to transient overvoltages, it is known to provide these arresters with pre-triggering auxiliaries which favor the firing an arc when the spark gap is subjected to a surge.

En particulier, il est connu d'interposer entre les électrodes principales de l'éclateur une électrode auxiliaire ou « aiguille » afin de pouvoir provoquer une étincelle entre ladite aiguille et l'une des électrodes principales par application contrôlée d'une impulsion de tension entre ladite aiguille et ladite électrode principale.In particular, it is known to interpose between the main electrodes of the spark gap an auxiliary electrode or " needle " in order to be able to cause a spark between said needle and one of the main electrodes by controlled application of a voltage pulse between said needle and said main electrode.

L'expérience montre que, pour les parafoudres à éclateur de l'art antérieur, la tension nécessaire pour créer une étincelle de façon certaine entre l'aiguille et l'électrode principale est d'environ 7 kilovolts si la distance entre ladite aiguille et ladite électrode principale est de 2 millimètres. Le temps nécessaire à l'établissement d'un arc électrique entre les deux électrodes principales est alors de l'ordre de 7 à 8 microsecondes.Experience shows that, for spark gap arresters of the prior art, the voltage necessary to create a certain spark between the needle and the main electrode is about 7 kilovolts if the distance between said needle and said main electrode is 2 millimeters. The time required to establish an electric arc between the two main electrodes is then of the order of 7 to 8 microseconds.

Or, pour faire apparaître une étincelle entre l'aiguille et l'électrode principale, les parafoudres de l'art antérieur utilisent généralement des circuits électroniques de déclenchement, lesquels s'avèrent fréquemment constituer un point faible desdits parafoudres, tant sur le plan technique que sur le plan économique. En effet, les circuits de déclenchement connus, qui font souvent appel à un nombre important de composants onéreux, sont particulièrement sensibles aux contraintes auxquelles ils sont soumis lors du fonctionnement du parafoudre et vieillissent rapidement lorsqu'ils sont sollicités en vue de l'écoulement de courants de défaut. Cette relative fragilité du circuit de déclenchement tend en pratique à causer prématurément la défaillance du parafoudre dans son ensemble, alors même que l'éclateur de protection principal est encore fonctionnel.However, to show a spark between the needle and the main electrode, the arresters of the prior art generally use electronic trigger circuits, which often prove to be a weak point of said surge arresters, both technically and on the economic plan. Indeed, the known tripping circuits, which often use a large number of expensive components, are particularly sensitive to the stresses to which they are subjected during the operation of the arrester and age rapidly when they are stressed for the purpose of the flow of fault currents. This relative fragility of the trip circuit tends in practice to prematurely cause the failure of the arrester as a whole, even though the main protective spark gap is still functional.

De plus, malgré la présence d'une électrode auxiliaire, ie temps de déclenchement des parafoudres à éclateurs connus demeure relativement important au regard des durées caractéristiques des perturbations transitoires, si bien que le niveau de protection conféré par ceux-ci demeure relativement médiocre.In addition, despite the presence of an auxiliary electrode, the triggering time of the known spark gap arresters remains relatively high with respect to the characteristic durations of the transient disturbances, so that the level of protection conferred by them remains relatively poor.

Ce handicap a généralement pour conséquence une limitation de l'usage des éclateurs aux parafoudres de « Type 1 », c'est-à-dire aux parafoudres primaires dont le rôle consiste à limiter, à l'origine de l'installation électrique, les courants qui résultent de chocs de foudre directs (modélisés par une onde de choc de forme 10/350).This handicap generally results in a limitation of the use of spark gaps to " Type 1 " surge arresters, that is to say to primary arresters whose role is to limit, at the origin of the electrical installation, the currents resulting from direct lightning shocks (modeled by a 10/350 shock wave).

En particulier, les parafoudres à éclateurs connus ne peuvent en règle générale pas être utilisés en tant que parafoudres de « Type 2 », c'est-à-dire en tant que parafoudres secondaires qui offrent une tenue aux courants de foudre indirects (modélisés par une onde de choc de forme 8/20) et dont le rôle consiste à écrêter les surtensions afin qu'elles ne soient pas dangereuses pour les équipements électriques sensibles.In particular, known spark gap arresters can generally not be used as " Type 2 " surge arresters, that is to say as secondary arresters that offer resistance to indirect lightning currents (modeled by a shock wave 8/20) whose role is to clip surges so that they are not dangerous for sensitive electrical equipment.

Pour réaliser de tels parafoudres secondaires, il est usuel de privilégier des composants de protection de type varistance, lesquels sont particulièrement onéreux et moins endurants que les éclateurs vis-à-vis des chocs de foudre.To achieve such secondary surge arresters, it is customary to favor varistor-type protection components, which are particularly expensive and less enduring than spark-gaps vis-à-vis the lightning strikes.

Les objets assignés à l'invention visent par conséquent à porter remède aux différents inconvénients énumérés précédemment et à proposer un dispositif de protection comprenant un nouveau composant électrique de type éclateur qui présente une capacité d'amorçage améliorée.The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a protection device comprising a new electric spark gap type component which has an improved priming capability.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection comprenant un composant électrique de type éclateur qui soit de conception particulièrement simple, compacte et qui présente un prix de revient optimisé.Another object of the invention is to propose a new protection device comprising a spark gap-type electric component which is particularly simple, compact and has an optimized cost price.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection comprenant un composant électrique de type éclateur qui simplifie les opérations d'installation et de maintenance.Another object of the invention is to provide a new protection device comprising a spark gap type electric component which simplifies the installation and maintenance operations.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions qui confère un niveau de protection optimisé à l'installation à laquelle il est raccordé.Another object of the invention is to propose a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages which confers an optimized level of protection to the installation to which it is connected.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions qui soit de conception simple et qui présente un prix de revient optimisé.Another object of the invention is to provide a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages that is simple in design and has an optimized cost.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions qui présente une longévité accrue.Another object of the invention is to provide a new device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages which has an increased longevity.

Les objets assignés à l'invention sont atteints à l'aide d'un dispositif de protection selon la première revendication comprenant un composant électrique comprenant au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un premier élément de déclenchement et un second élément de déclenchement tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales, lesdits premier et second éléments de déclenchement étant agencés de telle sorte qu'une décharge disruptive puisse apparaître entre eux et que l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive puisse provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique entre les première et seconde électrodes principales.The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a protection device according to the first claim comprising an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises at least a first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes, said first and second trigger elements being arranged such that a disruptive discharge can occur between them and the occurrence of said discharge disruptive can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes.

Les objets assignés à l'invention sont également atteints à l'aide d'un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions, ledit dispositif étant pourvu d'une première et d'une seconde borne de raccordement destinées à être raccordées à ladite installation électrique, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins un composant électrique conforme à la présente invention, la première et la seconde électrode principale dudit composant électrique étant reliées électriquement à ladite installation électrique à protéger via lesdites première et seconde bornes de raccordement.The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages, said device being provided with a first and a second connection terminal intended to be connected to said electrical installation, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical component according to the present invention, the first and the second main electrode of said electrical component being electrically connected to said electrical installation to be protected via said first and second connection terminals.

On décrit un procédé de déclenchement d'un composant électrique comprenant au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une étape (a) au cours de laquelle on fait apparaître une décharge disruptive entre au moins un premier élément de déclenchement et un second élément de déclenchement tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales, afin que l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive puisse provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique entre les première et seconde électrodes principales dudit éclateur.A method of triggering an electrical component comprising at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises a step (a) during which there is shown a disruptive discharge between at least a first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes, so that the occurrence of said disruptive discharge can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes of said spark gap.

On décrit un procédé de fabrication d'un composant électrique comprenant une étape de réalisation d'au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale formant un éclateur, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une étape (E1) au cours de laquelle on associe audit éclateur au moins un premier élément de déclenchement et un second élément de déclenchement tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales ainsi qu'une étape (E2) au cours de laquelle on agence lesdits premier et second éléments de déclenchement de telle sorte qu'une décharge disruptive puisse apparaître entre eux et que l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive puisse provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique entre les première et seconde électrodes principales.A method of manufacturing an electrical component comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode forming a spark gap, characterized in that it comprises a step (E 1 ) during which one associates at least one first trigger element and a second trigger element both separate from said first and second main electrodes and a step (E 2 ) in which said first and second trigger elements are arranged in such a way that a disruptive discharge may occur between them and the occurrence of said disruptive discharge may cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus en détails à la lecture de la description qui suit, ainsi qu'à l'aide des dessins annexés fournis à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif, parmi lesquels :

  • La figure 1 illustre une reprĂ©sentation schĂ©matique d'un composant Ă©lectrique de type Ă©clateur conforme Ă  l'invention.
  • La figure 2 illustre un schĂ©ma Ă©lectrique d'une première variante de rĂ©alisation d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme Ă  l'invention.
  • La figure 3 illustre un schĂ©ma Ă©lectrique d'une seconde variante de rĂ©alisation d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme Ă  l'invention.
  • La figure 4 illustre un schĂ©ma Ă©lectrique d'une troisième variante de rĂ©alisation d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme Ă  l'invention.
  • La figure 5 illustre un schĂ©ma Ă©lectrique d'une quatrième variante de rĂ©alisation d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions associant en sĂ©rie deux dispositifs conformes Ă  l'invention analogues Ă  ceux reprĂ©sentĂ©s sur la figure 3.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, and with the aid of the accompanying drawings provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which:
  • The figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an electric spark gap type component according to the invention.
  • The figure 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of a second variant embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of a third variant embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 5 illustrates a circuit diagram of a fourth variant embodiment of a surge protection device associating in series two devices according to the invention similar to those shown in FIG. figure 3 .

Le composant électrique 1 comprend au moins une première électrode principale 2 et une seconde électrode principale 3, lesdites électrodes principales étant agencées de manière à former un éclateur 4.The electrical component 1 comprises at least a first main electrode 2 and a second main electrode 3, said main electrodes being arranged to form a spark gap 4.

Lesdites première et seconde électrodes principales, formées par exemple par des barrettes métalliques, sont séparées par un espace inter-électrodes 5 formé d'un matériau isolant, tel que du gaz, en particulier de l'air, ou encore un corps solide diélectrique.Said first and second main electrodes, formed for example by metal strips, are separated by an inter-electrode space 5 formed of an insulating material, such as gas, in particular air, or a dielectric solid body.

Ainsi, lorsqu'une tension suffisante est appliquée entre lesdites première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3, un arc électrique 6 est susceptible de se former entre ces dernières par claquage de l'isolant formant l'espace inter-électrodes 5.Thus, when a sufficient voltage is applied between said first and second main electrodes 2, 3, an electric arc 6 is likely to be formed between them by breakdown of the insulator forming the inter-electrode gap 5.

Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le composant électrique 1 comporte au moins un premier élément de déclenchement 10 et un second élément de déclenchement 11, tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3, et agencés de telle sorte qu'une décharge disruptive 12 puisse apparaître entre eux et que l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive 12 puisse provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 entre les première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3.According to an important characteristic of the invention, the electrical component 1 comprises at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both of which are distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3, and arranged in such a way that a disruptive discharge 12 may appear between them and the appearance of said disruptive discharge 12 may cause the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, ainsi que cela sera exposé plus en détails dans la suite de la description, le recours à un couple d'éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 distincts des électrodes principales 2, 3 permet de faciliter l'apparition de l'arc électrique 6 en accélérant l'ionisation de l'espace inter-électrodes 5 et en réduisant la tension d'amorçage nécessaire entre la première et la seconde électrode principale, par rapport à ce qui serait observé dans un éclateur comportant deux électrodes principales et un seul élément de déclenchement. D'autre part, un tel agencement conforme à l'invention est également de nature à limiter l'intensité du courant électrique circulant à travers les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11.In a particularly advantageous manner, as will be explained in more detail in the following description, the use of a pair of trigger elements 10, 11 separate from the main electrodes 2, 3 facilitates the appearance of the arc. electrical 6 by accelerating the ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 and reducing the necessary starting voltage between the first and the second main electrode, compared to what would be observed in a spark gap comprising two main electrodes and a single trigger element. On the other hand, such an arrangement according to the invention is also likely to limit the intensity of the electric current flowing through the triggering elements 10, 11.

De préférence, le premier élément de déclenchement 10 est formé par une première électrode auxiliaire 14. De même, le second élément de déclenchement 11 est préférentiellement formé par une seconde électrode auxiliaire 15.Preferably, the first trigger element 10 is formed by a first auxiliary electrode 14. Similarly, the second trigger element 11 is preferably formed by a second auxiliary electrode 15.

De façon préférentielle, le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 s'étendent, au moins en partie, dans l'espace inter-électrodes 5 qui sépare la première électrode principale 2 de la seconde électrode principale 3.Preferably, the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 extend, at least in part, into the inter-electrode space 5 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3.

Ainsi, si l'on applique une différence de potentiel entre la première et la seconde électrode auxiliaire 14, 15, on peut modifier l'environnement électrique entre lesdites électrodes auxiliaires 2, 3, notamment en ionisant la partie correspondante de l'espace inter-électrodes 5, et ainsi créer, au voisinage des électrodes principales 2, 3, des conditions propices à l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6.Thus, if a potential difference is applied between the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15, the electrical environment between said auxiliary electrodes 2, 3 can be modified, in particular by ionizing the corresponding part of the internal space. electrodes 5, and thus create, in the vicinity of the main electrodes 2, 3, conditions conducive to the initiation of an electric arc 6.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle illustrée à la figure 1, la première et la seconde électrode principale 2, 3 délimitent un espace inter-électrodes 5 évasé, de préférence sensiblement en forme de V, ledit espace inter-électrodes 5 s'étendant entre une section étroite 5A et une section large 5B.According to a preferred embodiment illustrated at figure 1 the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 delimit a flared, preferably substantially V-shaped, inter-electrode gap 5, said inter-electrode gap 5 extending between a narrow section 5A and a wide section 5B.

Ainsi, on pourra provoquer le soufflage de l'arc électrique 6 formé au niveau de la section étroite 5A vers la section large 5B, et par conséquent favoriser l'extinction dudit arc 6.Thus, it will be possible to cause the blowing of the electric arc 6 formed at the narrow section 5A towards the wide section 5B, and consequently to promote the extinction of said arc 6.

Cette variante de réalisation du composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention convient donc tout particulièrement à la réalisation d'un dispositif de type parafoudre visant d'une part à écouler rapidement à la terre, via l'arc 6, le courant de défaut provoqué par une surtension affectant une installation électrique à protéger et d'autre part à éteindre l'arc électrique juste après l'écoulement dudit courant de défaut afin de couper le courant de suite et d'assurer la continuité du service.This variant embodiment of the electrical component 1 according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for the production of a device of the lightning arrestor type intended firstly to rapidly discharge the fault current caused by the arc 6 to the ground. by an overvoltage affecting an electrical installation to be protected and on the other hand to extinguish the electric arc just after the flow of said fault current to cut the current away and ensure continuity of service.

Il est toutefois envisageable, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention, d'utiliser le composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention à d'autres fins que celle de composant de protection contre les surtensions.However, it is conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to use the electrical component 1 according to the invention for purposes other than that of overvoltage protection component.

Ainsi que cela est illustré sur la figure 1, le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 se situent de préférence au niveau de la section étroite 5A de l'espace inter-électrodes 5.As this is illustrated on the figure 1 the first and second trigger elements 10, 11 are preferably located at the narrow section 5A of the inter-electrode space 5.

En effet, plus la distance séparant les électrodes principales 2, 3 est courte, plus la tension d'amorçage correspondante est faible. En d'autres termes, faire apparaître la décharge disruptive 12 au voisinage de ladite section étroite 5A, notamment à la base du V formé par les électrodes principales 2,3, permet avantageusement d'exploiter la zone de l'éclateur 4 la plus propice à l'apparition de l'arc électrique 6.In fact, the shorter the distance separating the main electrodes 2, 3, the lower the corresponding priming voltage. In other words, do the disruptive discharge 12 appears in the vicinity of said narrow section 5A, in particular at the base of the V formed by the main electrodes 2, 3 advantageously makes it possible to exploit the area of the spark gap 4 that is most favorable for the appearance of the electric arc 6.

Bien entendu, le composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention n'est aucunement limité à une géométrie particulière des électrodes principales 2, 3, pas plus qu'à une disposition particulière des électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15. En particulier, le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 peuvent être placés en retrait, affleurer ou encore faire saillie dans l'espace inter-électrodes 5.Of course, the electrical component 1 according to the invention is in no way limited to a particular geometry of the main electrodes 2, 3, nor to any particular arrangement of the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15. In particular, the first and the second second trigger element 10, 11 can be recessed, flush or project into the inter-electrode space 5.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle illustrée sur la figure 1, l'ensemble formé par le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 est sensiblement centré entre la première et la seconde électrode principale 2, 3. En d'autres termes, en considérant un plan moyen P sensiblement équidistant des deux électrodes principales 2, 3, la première et la seconde électrode auxiliaire 14, 15 sont de préférence disposées de façon sensiblement symétrique par rapport audit plan P.According to a preferred embodiment illustrated on the figure 1 , the assembly formed by the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 is substantially centered between the first and the second main electrode 2, 3. In other words, considering a substantially equidistant mean plane P of the two main electrodes 2, 3, the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15 are preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to said plane P.

De façon particulièrement préférentielle, les électrodes principales 2, 3 sont constituées par des barrettes conductrices sensiblement planes disposées en vis-à-vis l'une de l'autre de manière à former un V dont le plan sagittal correspond également au plan sagittal du couple d'électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15.In a particularly preferred manner, the main electrodes 2, 3 consist of substantially flat conductive strips arranged opposite one another so as to form a V whose sagittal plane also corresponds to the sagittal plane of the pair. of auxiliary electrodes 14, 15.

Selon l'invention, la plus petite distance fonctionnelle d1 qui sépare le premier élément de déclenchement 10 du second élément de déclenchement 11 est sensiblement inférieure à la plus petite distance fonctionnelle d2 qui sépare la première électrode principale 2 de la seconde électrode principale 3.According to the invention, the smallest functional distance d 1 which separates the first trigger element 10 from the second trigger element 11 is substantially smaller than the smallest functional distance d 2 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3 .

Par « distance fonctionnelle », on considère la distance qui sépare deux portions conductrices appartenant à deux éléments conducteurs distincts (premier et second élément de déclenchement par exemple) et entre lesquelles une décharge disruptive (ou un arc) a vocation à se former lors du fonctionnement normal du composant 1.By " functional distance ", the distance separating two conductive portions belonging to two distinct conducting elements (first and second trigger elements for example) and between which a disruptive discharge (or an arc) is intended to be formed during operation is considered. normal component 1.

Plus précisément, tel que cela est illustré sur la figure 1, la distance fonctionnelle minimale d1 correspondra de préférence à l'écartement compris entre la pointe active 14A de la première électrode auxiliaire 14 et la pointe active 15A de la seconde électrode auxiliaire 15, c'est-à-dire entre les extrémités desdites électrodes auxiliaires entre lesquelles on cherche à faire apparaître la décharge disruptive 12 (représentée en pointillés).More specifically, as illustrated in the figure 1 the minimum functional distance d 1 will preferably correspond to the gap between the active tip 14A of the first auxiliary electrode 14 and the active tip 15A of the second auxiliary electrode 15, that is to say between the ends of said electrodes auxiliaries between which it is sought to show the disruptive discharge 12 (shown in dashed lines).

Selon une variante de réalisation, les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 pourront être revêtues ou entourées par une gaine isolante en dehors de leurs pointes actives 14A, 15A qui demeurent à nu, de manière à ce que la décharge disruptive 12 ne puisse apparaître que dans une zone fonctionnelle prédéterminée, située sensiblement au niveau desdites pointes actives 14A, 15A.According to an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 may be coated or surrounded by an insulating sheath outside their active tips 14A, 15A which remain exposed, so that the disruptive discharge 12 can appear only in a predetermined functional zone, located substantially at said active points 14A, 15A.

Selon une autre variante de réalisation (non représentée), les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 pourront être globalement parallèles et présenter localement une zone de rapprochement, tel qu'un étranglement constitué par deux protubérances conductrices faisant saillie l'une vers l'autre depuis lesdites électrodes auxiliaires, de telle sorte que la décharge disruptive 12 apparaîtra préférentiellement au niveau de ladite zone de rapprochement.According to another alternative embodiment (not shown), the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 may be generally parallel and present locally a zone of approach, such as a constriction constituted by two conductive protuberances projecting towards each other from said auxiliary electrodes, so that the disruptive discharge 12 will appear preferentially at said approach zone.

De manière analogue, la distance fonctionnelle séparant les électrodes principales 2, 3 dans la variante de réalisation représentée à la figure 1 correspondra à l'écartement (variable) des branches du V, la distance fonctionnelle minimale d2 étant mesurée au niveau de la section étroite 5A dudit V.Similarly, the functional distance separating the main electrodes 2, 3 in the variant embodiment shown in FIG. figure 1 will correspond to the spacing (variable) of the branches of the V, the minimum functional distance d 2 being measured at the narrow section 5A of said V.

Ainsi, la tension requise pour provoquer l'apparition d'une décharge disruptive 12 entre le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 distants de d1 est avantageusement plus faible que celle nécessaire à l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 entre les électrodes principales 2, 3 distantes de d2.Thus, the voltage required to cause the occurrence of a disruptive discharge 12 between the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 distant from d 1 is advantageously lower than that required for the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the main electrodes 2, 3 distant from d 2 .

Selon une caractéristique préférentielle de l'invention, les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11, et plus particulièrement les pointes actives 14A, 15A des électrodes auxiliaires, sont suffisamment éloignés des électrodes principales 2, 3 pour éviter toute formation d'arc électrique parasite, c'est-à-dire de court-circuit, entre un élément de déclenchement 10, 11 et une électrode principale 2, 3, dans le cadre du fonctionnement normal du composant 1. En d'autres termes, l'agencement spatial préférentiel des éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 et des électrodes principales 2, 3 permet d'éviter que l'arc électrique principal 6 « n'accroche » l'une des électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 et ne s'établisse entre une électrode principale et une électrode auxiliaire. Ainsi, de façon particulièrement avantageuse, le composant 1 conforme à l'invention permet de dissocier sensiblement le circuit de commande, servant à stimuler l'amorçage à l'aide d'une décharge disruptive éphémère, du circuit de puissance par lequel peuvent s'écouler de forts courants.According to a preferred feature of the invention, the triggering elements 10, 11, and more particularly the active tips 14A, 15A of the auxiliary electrodes, are sufficiently distant from the main electrodes 2, 3 to avoid any parasitic electric arc formation, c that is, a short-circuit between a trigger element 10, 11 and a main electrode 2, 3, in the normal operation of the component 1. In other words, the preferential spatial arrangement of the elements 10, 11 and main electrodes 2, 3 prevents the main electric arc 6 " catches " one of the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 and is established between a main electrode and an auxiliary electrode . Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the component 1 according to the invention makes it possible to dissociate substantially the control circuit, serving to stimulate the initiation by means of an ephemeral disruptive discharge, of the power circuit by which flow strong currents.

Plus généralement, le composant 1 peut avantageusement permettre de séparer les fonctions de déclenchement et d'écoulement en dédiant à chacune un circuit distinct.More generally, component 1 may advantageously make it possible to separate the tripping and flow functions by dedicating each to a separate circuit.

Il est remarquable qu'au sens de l'invention, les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11, et plus particulièrement les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15, peuvent alors avantageusement être conçus pour provoquer et supporter « seulement » une décharge disruptive 12 de puissance modérée et de courte durée (étincelle), tandis que les électrodes principales 2, 3 sont conçues de manière à pouvoir écouler un courant électrique de haute intensité sous forme d'un arc électrique 6 relativement plus durable, notamment provoqué par une surtension transitoire due à la foudre.It is remarkable that within the meaning of the invention, the triggering elements 10, 11, and more particularly the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, can then advantageously be designed to cause and support " only " a disruptive discharge 12 of moderate power and short duration (spark), while the main electrodes 2, 3 are designed to be able to discharge a high intensity electric current in the form of a relatively more durable electric arc 6, in particular caused by a transient surge due to lightning .

De façon préférentielle, la distance d1 est inférieure à 30 % de la distance d2, et de façon encore plus préférentielle comprise entre 10 % et 20 % de la distance d2.Preferably, the distance d 1 is less than 30% of the distance d 2 , and even more preferably between 10% and 20% of the distance d 2 .

Selon une variante de réalisation particulièrement préférentielle, la distance fonctionnelle minimale d1 séparant le premier élément de déclenchement 10 du second élément de déclenchement 11, et plus particulièrement la première électrode auxiliaire 14 de la seconde électrode auxiliaire 15, est comprise entre 0,4 mm et 1 mm, tandis que la plus petite distance fonctionnelle d2 séparant les électrodes principales 2, 3 est d'environ 3,5 mm.According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the minimum functional distance d 1 separating the first trigger element 10 from the second trigger element 11, and more particularly the first auxiliary electrode 14 from the second auxiliary electrode 15, is between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, while the smallest functional distance d 2 separating the main electrodes 2, 3 is about 3.5 mm.

Des essais ont démontré qu'un tel agencement permet d'obtenir, lors de l'application d'une surtension transitoire entre les électrodes principales 2, 3, un temps d'établissement de l'arc électrique 6 (« temps de réponse ») de l'ordre de 2 microsecondes, ce qui correspond à une tension d'amorçage de l'ordre de 1,5 kV.Tests have shown that such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain, during the application of a transient overvoltage between the main electrodes 2, 3, an arcing time 6 (" response time "). of the order of 2 microseconds, which corresponds to a starting voltage of the order of 1.5 kV.

Ceci représente un gain particulièrement appréciable par rapport aux dispositifs de l'art antérieur au sein desquels l'amorçage est déclenché par une décharge disruptive apparaissant entre une unique électrode auxiliaire et l'une des électrodes principales de l'éclateur. En effet, dans des conditions analogues de sollicitation, l'établissement d'un arc électrique au sein desdits dispositifs de l'art antérieur requiert 5 à 8 microsecondes, selon la distance qui sépare ladite électrode auxiliaire de ladite électrode principale, ce qui correspond à une tension d'amorçage comprise entre 2 kV et 4 kV.This represents a particularly appreciable gain compared to devices of the prior art in which the ignition is triggered by a disruptive discharge occurring between a single auxiliary electrode and one of the main electrodes of the spark gap. Indeed, under similar bias conditions, the establishment of an electric arc within said prior art devices requires 5 to 8 microseconds, depending on the distance between said auxiliary electrode and said main electrode, which corresponds to a starting voltage of between 2 kV and 4 kV.

Un composant électrique 1 peut donc avantageusement être utilisé pour la réalisation de dispositifs parasurtenseurs (parafoudres) de Type 2. En effet, puisqu'un tel composant permet l'amorçage précoce d'un arc électrique 6 entre ses électrodes principales 2, 3 lorsqu'il est soumis à une surtension provoquée par la foudre, c'est-à-dire qu'il présente une tension d'amorçage relativement faible, il offre un niveau de protection parfaitement compatible avec la tenue d'équipements électriques relativement sensibles.An electrical component 1 can therefore advantageously be used for the production of Type 2 surge arresters. Indeed, since such a component allows the early initiation of an electric arc 6 between its main electrodes 2, 3 when it is subject to a surge caused by lightning, that is to say, it has a relatively low boot voltage, it offers a level of protection perfectly compatible with the holding of relatively sensitive electrical equipment.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle, les électrodes principales 2, 3 et les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 sont intégrés dans un même boîtier isolant présentant au moins quatre pôles de raccordement électrique, par exemple des broches faisant saillie sur une face dudit boîtier, dont deux sont reliés respectivement aux première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3 et deux sont reliés respectivement aux premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11. Le composant 1 peut donc avantageusement se présenter sous la forme d'une cartouche amovible destinée par exemple à être enfichée sur une embase fixe.According to a preferred embodiment, the main electrodes 2, 3 and the triggering elements 10, 11 are integrated in the same insulating casing having at least four electrical connection poles, for example pins projecting from a face of said casing, of which two are respectively connected to the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 and two are respectively connected to the first and second trigger elements 10, 11. The component 1 can therefore advantageously be in the form of a removable cartridge intended for example to be plugged onto a fixed base.

Un tel agencement confère une interchangeabilité au composant 1 et facilite par conséquent sa mise en place ou son remplacement lors d'opérations d'installation ou de maintenance des équipements électriques au sein desquels il est employé.Such an arrangement confers an interchangeability component 1 and therefore facilitates its implementation or its replacement during installation or maintenance of the electrical equipment in which it is used.

En particulier, le composant électrique 1 peut constituer un éclateur encapsulé fermé à la pression atmosphérique ou un éclateur scellé GDT (Gas Discharge Tube).In particular, the electrical component 1 may constitute an encapsulated spark gap closed at atmospheric pressure or a sealed spark gap GDT (Gas Discharge Tube).

Il peut également être associé à une chambre de coupure 16 permettant de fractionner l'arc électrique 6 afin de faciliter son extinction après disparition de la surtension.It can also be associated with a breaking chamber 16 for splitting the electric arc 6 to facilitate its extinction after the disappearance of the overvoltage.

Dans ce qui précède, on a décrit principalement une géométrie préférentielle d'éclateur 4 et d'éléments de déclenchement 10, 11. Toutefois, la forme, les dimensions et l'agencement du composant électrique 1, et en particulier ceux des électrodes principales 2, 3 et des éléments de déclenchement 10, 11, sont susceptibles de faire l'objet de modifications ou d'adaptation sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention.In the foregoing, a preferential geometry of spark gap 4 and trigger elements 10, 11 has mainly been described. However, the shape, the dimensions and the arrangement of electrical component 1, and in particular those of main electrodes 2 , 3 and release elements 10, 11, may be subject to modifications or adaptation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

La présente invention concerne également l'utilisation particulière d'un composant électrique 1 tel que décrit précédemment au sein d'un dispositif de protection 20 d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions, notamment contre les surtensions transitoires dues par exemple à la foudre.The present invention also relates to the particular use of an electrical component 1 as described above within a protection device 20 of an electrical installation against overvoltages, especially against transient overvoltages due for example to lightning.

L'expression « installation électrique » fait référence à tout type d'appareil ou réseau alimenté électriquement et susceptible de subir des perturbations de tension, notamment des surtensions transitoires dues à la foudre.The term " electrical installation " refers to any type of device or network powered electrically and likely to experience voltage disturbances, including transient overvoltages due to lightning.

Le dispositif de protection 20 conforme Ă  l'invention peut donc notamment constituer un parafoudre.The protective device 20 according to the invention may therefore in particular constitute a surge arrester.

Plus particulièrement, le dispositif 20 peut avantageusement constituer un parafoudre de Type 2 au sens de la norme IEC 61643-1.More particularly, the device 20 may advantageously constitute a Type 2 surge arrester in the sense of the IEC 61643-1 standard.

L'utilisation, grâce à la présente invention, d'un éclateur 4 en tant que composant de protection dans ce type de parafoudre permet avantageusement de concilier endurance accrue et prix de revient moindre du dispositif 20 par rapport aux parafoudres de Type 2 de l'art antérieur qui recourent à des varistances pour former le circuit de puissance.The use, by means of the present invention, of a spark gap 4 as a protection component in this type of arrester advantageously makes it possible to reconcile increased endurance and lower cost of the device 20 with respect to the Type 2 surge arresters of the prior art which resorts to varistors to form the power circuit.

Le dispositif de protection 20 conforme à l'invention est notamment destiné à être branché en dérivation (« en parallèle ») sur l'installation électrique à protéger, et plus particulièrement à être disposé entre une phase de l'installation à protéger et la terre. Il est par ailleurs envisageable, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, que le dispositif 1 soit branché entre le neutre et la terre, entre la phase et le neutre, ou encore entre deux phases pour réaliser une protection différentielle.The protection device 20 according to the invention is in particular intended to be connected bypass (" in parallel ") on the electrical installation to be protected, and more particularly to be arranged between a phase of the installation to be protected and the earth . It is also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the device 1 is connected between the neutral and the earth, between the phase and the neutral, or between two phases to achieve a differential protection.

Afin de permettre le raccordement électrique dudit dispositif 20 à ladite installation électrique, celui-ci est pourvu d'une première borne de raccordement 21 et d'une seconde borne de raccordement 22.In order to allow the electrical connection of said device 20 to said electrical installation, it is provided with a first connection terminal 21 and a second connection terminal 22.

Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le dispositif de protection 20 comprend au moins un composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention, la première et la seconde électrode principale 2, 3 dudit composant électrique 1 étant reliées électriquement à ladite installation électrique à protéger via lesdites bornes de raccordement 21, 22.According to an important characteristic of the invention, the protective device 20 comprises at least one electrical component 1 according to the invention, the first and the second main electrode 2, 3 of said electrical component 1 being electrically connected to said electrical installation to be protected. via said connection terminals 21, 22.

Selon une variante de réalisation non représentée, l'une et/ou l'autre desdites bornes de raccordement 21, 22 pourront être doublées afin de permettre par exemple la connexion électrique simultanée à chacune desdites bornes 21, 22 de deux éléments conducteurs distincts, tels que des câbles, notamment issus de l'installation à protéger.According to an alternative embodiment not shown, one and / or the other of said connection terminals 21, 22 may be doubled to allow for example the simultaneous electrical connection to each of said terminals 21, 22 of two separate conductive elements, such as that cables, especially from the installation to be protected.

Bien entendu, la liaison électrique entre une borne de raccordement 21, 22 et l'électrode principale 2, 3 correspondante peut être directe ou indirecte. En particulier, il est envisageable d'associer d'autres composants en série avec le composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention.Of course, the electrical connection between a connection terminal 21, 22 and the corresponding main electrode 2, 3 may be direct or indirect. In particular, it is conceivable to associate other components in series with the electrical component 1 according to the invention.

De préférence, tel que cela est illustré sur les figures 2 et 3, le dispositif de protection 20 comprend un moyen d'activation 23 relié au premier et au second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 pour générer une décharge disruptive 12 entre lesdits premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 de manière à pouvoir provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 entre les première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3.Preferably, as illustrated in the Figures 2 and 3 , the protection device 20 comprises an activation means 23 connected to the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 for generating a disruptive discharge 12 between said first and second triggering elements 10, 11 so as to be able to cause the triggering an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.

De façon particulièrement préférentielle, ledit moyen d'activation 23 est sensible à la tension appliquée aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22 du dispositif 20 et conçu pour générer une décharge disruptive 12 entre les premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 lorsque ladite tension franchit un seuil prédéterminé.In a particularly preferred manner, said activation means 23 is sensitive to the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22 of the device 20 and designed to generate a disruptive discharge 12 between the first and second triggering elements 10, 11 when said voltage passes a predetermined threshold.

De préférence, le moyen d'activation 23 est conçu pour créer une différence de potentiel entre le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 et plus particulièrement entre la première et la seconde électrode auxiliaire 14, 15.Preferably, the activation means 23 is designed to create a potential difference between the first and the second trigger element 10, 11 and more particularly between the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15.

A cet effet, le premier ou le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11 peut être relié électriquement au circuit secondaire d'un transformateur TX1 de telle sorte qu'il soit possible de faire varier le potentiel dudit élément de déclenchement en faisant circuler un courant électrique dans le circuit primaire dudit premier transformateur TX1.For this purpose, the first or the second trigger element 10, 11 may be electrically connected to the secondary circuit of a transformer TX1 so that it is possible to vary the potential of said trigger element by circulating an electric current. in the primary circuit of said first transformer TX1.

Selon une variante de réalisation particulièrement préférentielle illustrée à la figure 2, le moyen d'activation 23 comprend un circuit électronique associant en parallèle un éclateur à gaz 24 et un condensateur C1 de telle sorte que, lorsque ledit éclateur à gaz 24 se déclenche, il court-circuite ledit condensateur C1 qui se décharge dans le circuit primaire du transformateur TX1.According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. figure 2 , the activation means 23 comprises an electronic circuit in parallel associating a gas spark gap 24 and a capacitor C 1 so that, when said gas spark gap 24 is triggered, it bypasses said capacitor C 1 which discharges into the primary circuit of the transformer TX1.

Bien entendu, le dispositif de protection 20 conforme à la présente invention ne se limite pas à une réalisation particulière du moyen d'activation 23, d'autres schémas pouvant être envisagés pour générer un champ électrique, et notamment une impulsion de tension, entre les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15.Of course, the protection device 20 according to the present invention is not limited to a particular embodiment of the activation means 23, other schemes that can be envisaged to generate an electric field, and in particular a voltage pulse, between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, le dispositif de protection 20 conforme à l'invention permet de séparer le circuit de commande comprenant le moyen d'activation 23 et les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 du circuit de puissance formé par les électrodes principales 2, 3.In a particularly advantageous manner, the protection device 20 according to the invention makes it possible to separate the control circuit comprising the activation means 23 and the trip elements 10, 11 of the power circuit formed by the main electrodes 2, 3.

Cette séparation intervient en premier lieu grâce à une disposition constructive liée à un agencement spatial préférentiel des éléments constitutifs du dispositif 20. En effet, la proximité mutuelle des électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 et leur disposition par rapport aux électrodes principales 2, 3 permet de confiner sensiblement dans un espace contrôlé la décharge disruptive 12 qui ferme le circuit de commande 10, 11, 23, tout en maintenant une distance d'isolement entre ledit circuit de commande 10, 11, 23 et le circuit de puissance 2, 3 qui soit suffisante pour limiter sensiblement tout risque d'interférence de type court-circuit entre eux.This separation takes place first of all thanks to a constructive arrangement linked to a preferential spatial arrangement of the constituent elements of the device 20. In fact, the mutual proximity of the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 and their arrangement with respect to the main electrodes 2, 3 makes it possible to confine substantially in a controlled space the disruptive discharge 12 which closes the control circuit 10, 11, 23, while maintaining an isolation distance between said control circuit 10, 11, 23 and the power circuit 2, 3 which is sufficient to substantially limit any risk of short circuit interference between them.

La séparation peut également être réalisée ou complétée par des moyens de séparation, par exemple électroniques, aptes à assurer une limitation de l'intensité du courant qui circule dans le circuit de commande, et ainsi éviter notamment que ledit circuit de commande ne tende spontanément à court-circuiter en tout ou partie le circuit de puissance. A cet effet, tel que cela est représenté sur les figures 2, 3 et 4, on pourra de préférence interposer des varistances de séparation V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 en série avec les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11, respectivement avec le moyen d'activation 23, de manière à ce que ces derniers ne soient pas directement reliés électriquement aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22.The separation can also be carried out or supplemented by separation means, for example electronic means, capable of limiting the intensity of the current flowing in the control circuit, and thus avoiding in particular that said control circuit does not spontaneously tend to short circuit all or part of the power circuit. For this purpose, as shown on the Figures 2, 3 and 4 it is preferable to interpose separating varistors V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 in series with the triggering elements 10, 11, respectively with the activation means 23, so as to that the latter are not directly electrically connected to the connection terminals 21, 22.

On notera à ce titre que la variante de réalisation d'un dispositif de protection 20 illustrée à la figure 3 ne diffère de celle illustrée à la figure 2 que par l'agencement des varistances V1, V2, V4 qui permet de définir les limites et la répartition du courant électrique susceptible de circuler dans la première électrode auxiliaire 14 et dans l'éclateur à gaz 24.It will be noted in this respect that the variant embodiment of a protection device 20 illustrated in FIG. figure 3 does not differ from that illustrated in figure 2 by the arrangement of the varistors V 1 , V 2 , V 4 which makes it possible to define the limits and the distribution of the electric current likely to flow in the first auxiliary electrode 14 and in the gas spark gap 24.

Par ailleurs, il est particulièrement remarquable que le fait d'accélérer l'amorçage de l'arc électrique 6 entre les électrodes principales 2, 3 en ionisant efficacement et rapidement l'espace inter-électrodes 5 grâce au circuit de commande conforme à l'invention contribue en outre à « soulager » dans un délai très court ledit circuit de commande, en basculant la circulation d'énergie électrique dudit circuit de commande vers le circuit de puissance lors de l'écoulement de courants de défaut.Moreover, it is particularly remarkable that the fact of accelerating the initiation of the electric arc 6 between the main electrodes 2, 3 by effectively and rapidly ionizing the inter-electrode space 5 thanks to the control circuit according to the The invention further contributes to " relieving " said control circuit in a very short time, by switching the electrical energy flow from said control circuit to the power circuit during the flow of fault currents.

Par conséquent, le circuit de commande 10, 11, 23 conforme à l'invention est peu sollicité à chaque cycle d'amorçage de l'éclateur 4, tant en puissance qu'en durée.Therefore, the control circuit 10, 11, 23 according to the invention is not stressed at each boot cycle of the spark gap 4, both in power and duration.

Il est donc avantageusement possible de minimiser son encombrement en réduisant le dimensionnement de ses divers composants, tout en préservant voire en augmentant sa longévité par rapport aux dispositifs connus.It is therefore advantageously possible to minimize its size by reducing the size of its various components, while preserving or even increasing its longevity compared to known devices.

Selon une variante de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 4 et qui peut constituer une invention à part entière, le moyen d'activation 23 est formé par une première varistance V5 qui relie, de préférence directement, la première borne de raccordement 21 au premier élément de déclenchement 10 et une seconde varistance V6 qui relie, de préférence directement, la seconde borne de raccordement 22 au second élément de déclenchement 11.According to an embodiment variant illustrated on the figure 4 and which can constitute an invention in its own right, the activation means 23 is formed by a first varistor V 5 which preferably directly connects the first connection terminal 21 to the first trigger element 10 and a second varistor V 6 which connects, preferably directly, the second connection terminal 22 to the second trigger element 11.

Un tel moyen d'activation, à la différence de ceux susceptibles d'être mis en oeuvre sur la base des variantes représentées sur les figures 2 et 3, ne possède pas d'amplificateur TX1 de tension, et exploite simplement le phénomène d'amorçage « naturel » qui permet l'apparition d'une décharge disruptive 12 entre les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 lorsqu'une surtension est appliquée aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22. Toutefois, la rapidité d'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive 12 due à la proximité desdites électrodes auxiliaires, et l'efficacité de l'ionisation de l'espace inter-électrodes 5 qui en résulte, confère à cette variante du dispositif 20 des performances en termes de temps de réponse nettement supérieures à celle d'un éclateur 4 seul.Such an activation means, unlike those capable of being implemented on the basis of the variants represented on the Figures 2 and 3 , does not have a TX1 voltage amplifier, and simply exploits the " natural " booting phenomenon that allows the occurrence of a disruptive discharge 12 between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 when an overvoltage is applied to the connection terminals 21, 22. However, the rapidity of appearance of said disruptive discharge 12 due to the proximity of said auxiliary electrodes, and the effectiveness of the ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 which results, gives this variant of the device 20 performance in terms of response time significantly greater than that of a spark gap 4 alone.

Avantageusement, la première et la seconde varistance V5, V6 remplissent simultanément les rôles de moyen d'activation 23 et de moyen de séparation par rapport au circuit de puissance.Advantageously, the first and the second varistor V 5 , V 6 simultaneously fulfill the roles of activation means 23 and separation means with respect to the power circuit.

Le principal avantage d'une telle variante de réalisation réside dans la simplification extrême du circuit de commande qui réduit considérablement tant l'encombrement que le prix de revient du dispositif 20.The main advantage of such an alternative embodiment lies in the extreme simplification of the control circuit which considerably reduces both the size and the cost price of the device 20.

Enfin, le dispositif de protection 20 conforme à l'invention peut comporter des témoins de fonctionnement 26, ainsi que des ponts fusibles 25 de sécurité destinés à ouvrir le circuit de puissance et/ou le circuit de commande au cas où celui-ci écoule un courant anormalement durable ou d'intensité anormalement élevée, par exemple lorsque l'éclateur 4 arrive en fin de vie sous l'effet d'une pollution conductrice.Finally, the protection device 20 according to the invention may comprise operating indicators 26, as well as safety fusible bridges 25 intended to open the power circuit and / or the control circuit in the event that it flows through a circuit. abnormally high current or abnormally high intensity, for example when the spark gap 4 reaches the end of its life under the effect of a conductive pollution.

Correspondant au schéma de la figure 5, le dispositif 20 conforme à l'invention comprends une première et une seconde branche 20A, 20B, chaque branche contenant un composant 1, 1' tel que décrit ci-dessus associé respectivement à un moyen d'activation 23, 23' correspondant.Corresponding to the scheme of the figure 5 , the device 20 according to the invention comprises a first and a second branch 20A, 20B, each branch containing a component 1, 1 'as described above respectively associated with a corresponding activation means 23, 23'.

Lesdites première et seconde branches 20A, 20B sont de préférence associées en série pour relier entre elles les bornes de raccordement 21, 22 et ainsi former un circuit de puissance comprenant deux éclateurs 4, 4' successifs.Said first and second branches 20A, 20B are preferably associated in series to connect together the connection terminals 21, 22 and thus form a power circuit comprising two successive spark gaps 4, 4 '.

Par commodité de description, les éléments de la seconde branche 20B reprennent les références de leurs homologues de la première branche 20A, assortis d'un symbole « ' » (prime).For convenience of description, the elements of the second branch 20B repeat the references of their counterparts of the first branch 20A, with a symbol "'" (prime).

De préférence, le dispositif 20 ainsi obtenu correspond à l'association en « miroir » de deux dispositifs « simples » identiques, par exemple analogues à celui illustré sur la figure 3.Preferably, the device 20 thus obtained corresponds to the " mirror " association of two identical " simple " devices, for example similar to that illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

A cet effet, les éclateurs 4, 4' pourront être reliés électriquement l'un à l'autre au moyen d'un « peigne » 30 formant le point milieu du circuit de puissance.For this purpose, the gaps 4, 4 'can be electrically connected to each other by means of a " comb " 30 forming the midpoint of the power circuit.

Par ailleurs, le commun du transformateur TX1 du circuit d'activation 23 de la première branche 20A sera de préférence relié électriquement à la seconde borne de raccordement 22 par un premier élément de jonction 31, tandis que le commun du transformateur TX1' du circuit d'activation 23' de la seconde branche 20B sera de préférence relié électriquement à la première borne de raccordement 21 par un second élément de jonction 32.Moreover, the common of the transformer TX1 of the activation circuit 23 of the first branch 20A will preferably be electrically connected to the second connection terminal 22 by a first connecting element 31, while the common of the transformer TX1 'of the circuit d activation 23 'of the second branch 20B will preferably be electrically connected to the first connection terminal 21 by a second connecting element 32.

Il est à ce titre remarquable que les moyens d'activation 23, 23' respectifs sont de préférence agencés pour coopérer afin de provoquer l'apparition simultanée, entre les premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11, 10', 11' de chacun des deux éclateurs 4, 4', d'une décharge disruptive 12, 12', de manière à placer sensiblement simultanément lesdits éclateurs en conditions propices à leur amorçage respectif.It is in this respect remarkable that the respective activation means 23, 23 'are preferably arranged to cooperate in order to cause the simultaneous appearance, between the first and second triggering elements 10, 11, 10', 11 'of each two gaps 4, 4 ', a disruptive discharge 12, 12', so as to place substantially simultaneously said spark gaps in conditions conducive to their respective priming.

Ainsi, l'ensemble formé par les deux branches 20A, 20B peut avantageusement basculer rapidement dans son état passant afin d'écouler le courant de défaut, le dispositif 1 présentant plus particulièrement un temps de réponse global, entre l'apparition d'une surtension à ses bornes de raccordement 21, 22 et l'écoulement du courant de défaut à travers les éclateurs 4, 4' entre lesdites bornes 21, 22, sensiblement égal au temps de réponse d'une seule branche considérée séparément.Thus, the assembly formed by the two branches 20A, 20B can advantageously switch quickly to its on state to discharge the fault current, the device 1 having more particularly a global response time, between the occurrence of a surge at its connection terminals 21, 22 and the flow of the fault current through the gaps 4, 4 'between said terminals 21, 22, substantially equal to the response time of a single branch considered separately.

En d'autres termes, la tension d'amorçage de l'ensemble formé par les deux branches 20A, 20B en série sera sensiblement égale à la tension d'amorçage de l'une seule desdites branches, et non aléatoirement comprise entre la tension d'amorçage d'une branche et la somme des tensions d'amorçage respectives de chacune des deux branches.In other words, the starting voltage of the assembly formed by the two branches 20A, 20B in series will be substantially equal to the ignition voltage of only one of said branches, and not randomly between the voltage of initiation of a branch and the sum of the respective starting voltages of each of the two branches.

Un tel agencement permet par conséquent soit d'augmenter la tension nominale (tension de service) aux bornes 21, 22 du dispositif 20 sans augmenter la tension d'amorçage de ce dernier ni réduire sa capacité de coupure du courant (après écoulement du courant de défaut), soit, à l'inverse, d'améliorer la capacité de coupure du dispositif 20 pour une tension de service donnée.Such an arrangement therefore makes it possible either to increase the nominal voltage (operating voltage) at the terminals 21, 22 of the device 20 without increasing the starting voltage of the latter or reducing its breaking capacity of the current (after the flow of the defect), or, conversely, to improve the breaking capacity of the device 20 for a given operating voltage.

Le fonctionnement d'une variante de réalisation d'un dispositif de protection 20 contre les surtensions va maintenant être brièvement décrit en référence à la figure 2.The operation of an alternative embodiment of an overvoltage protection device will now be briefly described with reference to FIG. figure 2 .

Lorsque le dispositif 20 est relié électriquement à une installation électrique à protéger au moyen de ses bornes de raccordement 21, 22, le composant de protection 1 est susceptible d'être parcouru par un courant de décharge.When the device 20 is electrically connected to an electrical installation to be protected by means of its connection terminals 21, 22, the protection component 1 can be traversed by a discharge current.

Tant que la tension appliquée entre les bornes de raccordement 21, 22, laquelle correspond, sur la variante illustrée à la figure 2, à la tension entre la première et la seconde électrode principale 2, 3, n'excède pas sensiblement la tension nominale de fonctionnement de l'installation, le composant de protection 1, et plus particulièrement l'éclateur 4, se trouve dans son état bloquant.As long as the voltage applied between the connection terminals 21, 22, which corresponds to the variant illustrated in FIG. figure 2 at the voltage between the first and the second main electrode 2, 3 does not substantially exceed the nominal operating voltage of the installation, the protection component 1, and more particularly the spark gap 4, is in its state blocker.

Lorsqu'une surtension apparaît aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22, suite par exemple à un choc de foudre, l'élévation de tension aux bornes du condensateur C1 entraîne le franchissement de la tension d'amorçage de l'éclateur à gaz 24. En devenant passant, ce dernier court-circuite le condensateur C1 qui se décharge en créant une impulsion de courant à travers le circuit primaire du transformateur TX1.When an overvoltage appears at the connection terminals 21, 22, for example following a lightning strike, the voltage rise across the capacitor C 1 causes the starting voltage of the spark gap 24 to be exceeded. By becoming on, the latter bypasses the capacitor C 1 which discharges by creating a pulse of current through the primary circuit of the transformer TX1.

Le transformateur TX1 convertit, et de préférence amplifie, cette impulsion de courant en une impulsion de tension appliquée à la seconde électrode auxiliaire 15, de telle sorte qu'une différence de potentiel apparaît entre la première et la seconde électrode auxiliaire 14, 15.The transformer TX1 converts, and preferably amplifies, this current pulse into a voltage pulse applied to the second auxiliary electrode 15, so that a potential difference appears between the first and the second auxiliary electrode 14, 15.

L'application de cette différence de potentiel, même si elle peut être modérée en regard de celle nécessaire à l'amorçage direct d'un arc électrique entre les électrodes principales 2, 3, crée un champ électrique intense du fait de la proximité entre les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15. Ce champ électrique génère une ionisation locale de l'espace inter-électrodes 5, laquelle est susceptible de conduire à l'apparition d'une décharge disruptive 12, sous forme d'une étincelle, entre lesdites électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15.The application of this potential difference, even if it may be moderate compared to that required for the direct priming of an electric arc between the main electrodes 2, 3, creates an intense electric field due to the proximity between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15. This electric field generates a local ionization of the inter-electrode space 5, which is likely to lead to the appearance of a spark discharge 12, in the form of a spark, between said auxiliary electrodes 14 , 15.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, la puissance électrique et plus particulièrement l'intensité du courant parcourant les éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 lors de leur activation reste modérée grâce aux varistances de séparation V1, V2, V3. Ceci évite notamment la formation d'un arc électrique de forte puissance entre les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15, arc qui aurait pour double conséquence néfaste d'une part de perturber le fonctionnement de l'installation à protéger en raison de la difficulté qu'il y aurait à l'éteindre du fait de la proximité mutuelle desdites électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15, et d'autre part de provoquer un vieillissement accéléré, voire une destruction, du circuit de commande.In a particularly advantageous manner, the electrical power and more particularly the intensity of the current flowing through the trip elements 10, 11 during their activation remains moderate thanks to the separation varistors V 1 , V 2 , V 3 . This avoids, in particular, the formation of a high-power arc between the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, which would have the double negative consequence of disrupting the operation of the installation to be protected because of the difficulty it It would have to be extinguished because of the mutual proximity of said auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, and secondly to cause accelerated aging, or even destruction, of the control circuit.

Cette ionisation de l'espace inter-électrodes 5 facilite le basculement de l'éclateur 4 dans son état passant. Elle conduit en effet à l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 entre les électrodes principales 2, 3 pour une tension d'amorçage appliquée entre lesdites électrodes principales 2, 3 nettement inférieure à celle qui serait nécessaire au claquage de l'isolant remplissant l'espace inter-électrodes 5 en l'absence des éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 (ou en l'absence d'activation de ces derniers). Ainsi, le temps de réponse du dispositif 20 est considérablement raccourci.This ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 facilitates the switching of the spark gap 4 in its conducting state. It indeed leads to the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the main electrodes 2, 3 for a priming voltage applied between said main electrodes 2, 3 much lower than that which would be necessary for the breakdown of the insulation filling the inter-electrode gap 5 in the absence of the trigger elements 10, 11 (or in the absence of activation thereof). Thus, the response time of the device 20 is considerably shortened.

Il est remarquable qu'en centrant les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 entre les électrodes principales 2, 3, on obtient une ionisation sensiblement homogène de l'espace inter-électrodes 5 qui permet d'optimiser la vitesse d'amorçage de l'arc électrique 6, et d'abaisser au mieux le seuil que doit franchir tension appliquée aux électrodes principales 2, 3 pour provoquer ledit amorçage.It is remarkable that by centering the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 between the main electrodes 2, 3, a substantially homogeneous ionization of the inter-electrode space 5 is obtained which makes it possible to optimize the initiation speed of the electric arc. 6, and to lower as much as possible the threshold that must be crossed voltage applied to the main electrodes 2, 3 to cause said priming.

Lorsque l'arc 6 est amorcé, l'éclateur 4 se trouve à même d'écouler le courant de défaut de forte intensité provoquée par la surtension.When the arc 6 is initiated, the spark gap 4 is able to discharge the high intensity fault current caused by the overvoltage.

Il est remarquable que dans une telle variante de réalisation, le maintien de l'arc 6 après son amorçage est indépendant de l'activation des premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11. Ainsi, après qu'une petite partie de la puissance véhiculée par la surtension a été affectée au déclenchement du dispositif 20, la majeure partie de ladite puissance peut être évacuée librement à travers le circuit de puissance formé par les électrodes principales 2, 3 tandis que le circuit de commande est désactivé.It is remarkable that in such an embodiment, the maintenance of the arc 6 after its initiation is independent of the activation of the first and second triggering elements 10, 11. Thus, after a small portion of the power conveyed by the overvoltage has been assigned to the triggering of the device 20, most of said power can be discharged freely through the power circuit formed by the main electrodes 2, 3 while the control circuit is deactivated.

A ce titre, il est également remarquable que le circuit de commande conforme à l'invention est sollicité pendant une durée très courte grâce à la rapidité de l'amorçage de l'arc 6 et donc du transfert de l'écoulement d'énergie dudit circuit de commande audit circuit de puissance.As such, it is also remarkable that the control circuit according to the invention is solicited for a very short time due to the rapidity of the priming of the arc 6 and therefore the transfer of the energy flow of said control circuit to said power circuit.

De façon bien connue de l'homme du métier, l'arc électrique 6 formé entre les électrodes principales 2, 3 tend à être soufflé vers la chambre de coupure 16 qui facilite son extinction après écoulement du courant de défaut.As is well known to those skilled in the art, the electric arc 6 formed between the main electrodes 2, 3 tends to be blown towards the interrupting chamber 16 which facilitates its extinction after the flow of the fault current.

On décrit également un procédé de déclenchement d'un composant électrique 1 comprenant au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale 2, 3 formant un éclateur 4.There is also described a method for tripping an electrical component 1 comprising at least a first and a second main electrode 2, 3 forming a spark gap 4.

Ledit procédé de déclenchement comporte une étape (a) au cours de laquelle on fait apparaître une décharge disruptive 12 entre au moins un premier élément de déclenchement 10 et un second élément de déclenchement 11, tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3, l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive 12 pouvant provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique entre les première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3 dudit éclateur 4.Said triggering method comprises a step (a) in which a disruptive discharge 12 is shown between at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both of which are distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3 , the occurrence of said disruptive discharge 12 can cause the initiation of an electric arc between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3 of said spark gap 4.

De façon particulièrement préférentielle, l'étape (a) comprend une sous-étape (a1) au cours de laquelle on applique une différence de potentiel entre une première électrode auxiliaire 14 et une seconde électrode auxiliaire 15 qui s'étendent, au moins en partie, dans l'espace inter-électrodes 5 qui sépare la première électrode principale 2 de la seconde électrode principale 3.Particularly preferably, step (a) comprises a substep (a 1 ) during which a potential difference is applied between a first auxiliary electrode 14 and a second auxiliary electrode 15 which extend, at least in part, in the inter-electrode space 5 which separates the first main electrode 2 from the second main electrode 3.

Avantageusement, ledit procédé de déclenchement, lorsqu'il est appliqué à un composant électrique 1 au sein d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions 20 tel que décrit ci-dessus peut constituer un procédé de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions.Advantageously, said triggering method, when applied to an electrical component 1 within an overvoltage protection device 20 as described above, can constitute a method of protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages.

Dans ce cas, ledit procédé peut comprendre une étape (b) au cours de laquelle on évalue la tension appliquée aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22 et l'on décide de mettre en oeuvre l'étape (a) si ladite tension dépasse une valeur seuil prédéterminée. Avantageusement, les étapes (a) et (b) peuvent être intimement liées par l'utilisation d'un moyen d'activation 23 sensible à la tension appliquée aux bornes de raccordement 21, 22, tel que décrit précédemment, afin de stimuler l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 concomitamment à l'apparition d'une surtension audites bornes de raccordement 21, 22.In this case, said method may comprise a step (b) in which the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22 is evaluated and it is decided to implement step (a) if said voltage exceeds a value predetermined threshold. Advantageously, the steps (a) and (b) can be intimately linked by the use of an activation means 23 sensitive to the voltage applied to the connection terminals 21, 22, as described above, in order to stimulate the initiation of an electric arc 6 concomitantly with the appearance of an overvoltage audites terminals 21, 22.

On décrit un procédé de fabrication d'un composant électrique 1 comprenant une étape de réalisation d'au moins une première et une seconde électrode principale 2, 3 formant un éclateur 4, ledit procédé de fabrication comportant une étape (E1) au cours de laquelle on associe audit éclateur 4 au moins un premier élément de déclenchement 10 et un second élément de déclenchement 11, tous deux distincts desdites première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3, ainsi qu'une étape (E2) au cours de laquelle on agence lesdits premier et second éléments de déclenchement 10, 11 de telle sorte qu'une décharge disruptive puisse apparaître entre eux et que l'apparition de ladite décharge disruptive puisse provoquer l'amorçage d'un arc électrique 6 entre les première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3.There is described a method of manufacturing an electrical component 1 comprising a step of producing at least a first and a second main electrode 2, 3 forming a spark gap 4, said manufacturing method comprising a step (E 1 ) during of which is associated with said spark gap 4 at least a first trigger element 10 and a second trigger element 11, both distinct from said first and second main electrodes 2, 3, and a step (E 2 ) in which one arranging said first and second triggering elements 10, 11 such that a disruptive discharge can occur between them and that the occurrence of said disruptive discharge can cause the initiation of an electric arc 6 between the first and second main electrodes 2, 3.

Bien entendu, les étapes (E1) et (E2) peuvent avantageusement être simultanées et confondues.Of course, the steps (E 1 ) and (E 2 ) can advantageously be simultaneous and merged.

Selon une variante de mise en oeuvre dudit procédé de fabrication, l'étape (E1) peut comprendre une sous-étape au cours de laquelle on rapporte au sein de l'éclateur 4 formé par lesdites première et seconde électrodes principales 2, 3 un sous-ensemble préfabriqué comprenant le premier et le second élément de déclenchement 10, 11.According to an alternative embodiment of said manufacturing method, the step (E 1 ) may comprise a substep during which the spark gap 4 formed by said first and second main electrodes 2 3 prefabricated subassembly comprising the first and the second triggering element 10, 11.

Avantageusement, on pourra donc appliquer le procédé de fabrication conforme à l'invention au rattrapage d'éclateurs déjà existants ou installés en dotant ces derniers d'un nouveau sous-ensemble de déclenchement comprenant par exemple deux électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 maintenues dans une embase isolante de dimensions idoines, ladite embase pouvant être rapportée entre les électrodes principales 2, 3 de l'éclateur existant.Advantageously, it will therefore be possible to apply the manufacturing method according to the invention to retrofit existing or installed spark gaps by providing the latter with a new trigger subassembly comprising for example two auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 held in a base insulating of appropriate dimensions, said base being connectable between the main electrodes 2, 3 of the existing spark gap.

En outre, le procédé de fabrication sus-mentionné peut être mis en oeuvre pour la réalisation d'un dispositif de protection 20 contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention, et constituer par exemple un procédé de fabrication de parafoudre.In addition, the aforementioned manufacturing method can be implemented for the production of an overvoltage protection device 20 according to the invention, and constitute for example a lightning arrester manufacturing method.

De préférence, un tel procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif de protection 20 contre les surtensions comporte en outre une étape (E3) au cours de laquelle on raccorde électriquement les électrodes auxiliaires 14, 15 à un moyen d'activation 23 tel que décrit précédemment.Preferably, such a method of manufacturing an overvoltage protection device 20 further comprises a step (E 3 ) in which the auxiliary electrodes 14, 15 are electrically connected to an activation means 23 as described. previously.

Ainsi, le composant électrique 1 conforme à l'invention permet avantageusement de réaliser des dispositifs de protection contre les surtensions particulièrement efficaces qui permettent de concilier la bonne tenue des éclateurs vis-à-vis des courants de foudre avec une faible tension d'amorçage.Thus, the electrical component 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to provide particularly effective overvoltage protection devices which make it possible to reconcile the good resistance of spark gaps with respect to lightning currents with a low starting voltage.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, l'excellent niveau de protection conféré par le composant électrique conforme à l'invention permet en particulier son utilisation au sein de parafoudres de Type 2 suivant la norme IEC 61643-1. De tels parafoudres conformes à l'invention allient robustesse et simplicité, et présentent par conséquent une longévité accrue et un coût de fabrication réduit, en particulier par rapport aux dispositifs de l'art antérieur qui emploient des varistances comme composants de protection.Particularly advantageously, the excellent level of protection afforded by the electrical component according to the invention allows in particular its use in Type 2 surge arresters according to the IEC 61643-1 standard. Such surge arresters in accordance with the invention combine robustness and simplicity, and therefore have increased durability and reduced manufacturing cost, particularly with respect to prior art devices which employ varistors as protection components.

Claims (17)

  1. A protection device (20) for an electrical installation against overvoltage, said device (20) being provided with a first and a second connection terminal (21, 22) intended to be connected to said electrical installation, the device comprising a first and a second branch (20A, 20B), each branch (20A, 20B) including an electrical component (1) comprising:
    - a first main electrode (2, 2') and a second main electrode (3, 3') forming a spark gap (4, 4'), the branches (20A, 20B) being associated in series for mutually connecting the connection terminals (21, 22) and forming a power circuit comprising, successively, the two spark gaps (4, 4'), the first and the second main electrodes (2, 3; 2', 3') of said electrical component (1) of each branch being electrically connected to said electrical installation to be protected, via said connection terminals (21, 22); and
    - at least a first tripping element (10, 10') and a second tripping element (11, 11'), both different from said first and second main electrodes (2, 3; 2', 3'), said first and second tripping elements (10, 11, 10', 11') being arranged so that a disruptive discharge (12) may appear between them and that the appearance of said disruptive discharge (12) may cause the ignition of an electric arc (6) between the first and second main electrodes (2, 3, 2' 3'),
    characterized in that the protection device includes means of activation (23, 23') arranged to cause the simultaneous appearance of a disruptive discharge between the first and second tripping elements (10, 11, 10', 11') respectively of the two spark gaps (4, 4'), and whereby the ignition voltage of the complete assembly formed by the two branches (20A, 20B) is substantially equal to the firing voltage of one of said branches alone.
  2. The protection device according to claim 1, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the first and second tripping elements (10, 11) are formed by a first auxiliary electrode (14) and a second auxiliary electrode (15) respectively.
  3. The protection device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the first and second tripping element (10, 11) extend, at least partly, into the space between the electrodes (5), which separates the first main electrode (2) from the second main electrode (3).
  4. The protection device according to claim 3, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the assembly formed by the first and the second tripping element (10, 11) is substantially centred between the first and second main electrode (2, 3).
  5. The protection device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the smallest functional distance (d1) separating the first tripping element (10) from the second tripping element (11) is substantially smaller than the smallest functional distance (d2,) which separates the first main electrode (2) from the second main electrode (3).
  6. The protection device according to claim 5, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the distance (d1) separating the first tripping element (10) from the second tripping element (11) is less than 30% of the distance (d2), which separates the first main electrode (2) from the second main electrode (3), and preferably is between 10% and 20% of this distance (d2).
  7. The protection device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the minimum functional distance (d1) separating the first tripping element (10) from the second tripping element (11) is between 0.4 mm and 1 mm.
  8. The protection device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the first and second main electrodes (2, 3) delimit a space between the electrodes (5), which opens out, preferably substantially in the shape of a V, said space between the electrodes (5) extending between a narrow section (5A) and a wide section (5B).
  9. The protection device according to claim 8, characterised in that the first and second tripping element (10, 11) are located at the level of the narrow section (5A) of the space between the electrodes (5).
  10. The protection device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the main electrodes (2, 3) and tripping elements (10, 11) are incorporated into a same insulating case with at least four poles for electrical connection, two of which are connected to the first and second main electrodes (2, 3) respectively and two of which are connected to the first and second tripping elements (10, 11) respectively.
  11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the means of activation (23) are sensitive to the voltage applied to the terminals (21, 22) of said device (20) and designed to generate a disruptive discharge (12) between the first and second tripping elements (10, 11) of each branch when said voltage crosses a predetermined threshold.
  12. Device according to one of claims 1 or 11, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the means of activation (23) are designed to create a difference in potential between the first and second tripping element (10, 11).
  13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that, for at least one branch, the first or second tripping element (10, 11) is electrically connected to the secondary circuit of a transformer (TX1), so that it is possible to make the potential of said tripping element (10, 11) vary by making an electric current circulate in the primary circuit of said transformer (TX1).
  14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the means of activation (23) comprise an electronic circuit connecting in parallel a gas spark gap (24) and a capacitor (C1), so that, when said gas spark gap (24) is tripped, it short circuits said capacitor (C1), which is discharged into the primary circuit of the transformer (TX1).
  15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the means of activation (23) are formed by a first varistor (V1, V4, V4', V5), which connect, preferably directly, the first connection terminal (21) to the first tripping element (10) of at least one branch, and a second varistor (V3, V3', V6), which connects, preferably directly, the second connection terminal (22) to the second tripping element (11) of at least one branch.
  16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it constitutes a lightning arrester.
  17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that it constitutes a type 2 lightning arrester in the sense of standard IEC 61643-1.
EP07356113.6A 2006-08-11 2007-08-09 Ignition device with two electrodes for a spark gap and corresponding methods Active EP1887667B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0607316A FR2904893B1 (en) 2006-08-11 2006-08-11 TWO ELECTRODES PRIMER DEVICE FOR ECLATOR AND CORRESPONDING METHODS

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1887667A1 EP1887667A1 (en) 2008-02-13
EP1887667B1 EP1887667B1 (en) 2010-05-19
EP1887667B2 true EP1887667B2 (en) 2014-01-22

Family

ID=37806715

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07356113.6A Active EP1887667B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2007-08-09 Ignition device with two electrodes for a spark gap and corresponding methods

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1887667B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE468639T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602007006597D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2904893B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2959617B1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2012-05-11 Abb France PROTECTIVE ENVELOPE FOR A LAPPING DEVICE WITH A STARTING DEVICE
EP2521228B1 (en) * 2011-05-05 2014-01-01 ABB Research Ltd. Device and method for quick closing of an electric circuit and a use of the device
FR3025935B1 (en) * 2014-09-16 2017-12-01 Abb France DEVICE FOR CUTTING A DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AN ELECTRICAL PLANT AGAINST LIGHTNING
DE102017218584B4 (en) * 2017-10-18 2020-01-09 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Gas-filled surge arrester and surge protection circuit
EP3561973A1 (en) * 2018-04-23 2019-10-30 ABB Schweiz AG Protective device configured to allow the circulation of a discharge current

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH486788A (en) † 1968-08-28 1970-02-28 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Surge arresters
DE2005988A1 (en) † 1969-02-24 1971-09-02 Gen Electric Surge arresters
DE2530852A1 (en) † 1974-07-10 1976-02-19 Mitsubishi Electric Corp ELECTRIC SPARK GAP DEVICE
DD147174A1 (en) † 1979-10-26 1981-03-18 Dieter Sapich CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR TRIGGERING A TRIP LINE TRANSMISSION FOR PORTABLE LIGHTING VOLTAGE TESTING DEVICES
EP0933860A1 (en) † 1998-02-02 1999-08-04 PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. Overvoltage protection system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0793318A1 (en) * 1996-03-01 1997-09-03 Felten & Guilleaume Austria Ag Overvoltage arrester device
FR2770939B1 (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-01-28 Soule Materiel Electr SPLITTER DEVICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ELECTRICAL LINES AND / OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AGAINST TEMPORARY OVERVOLTAGES
FR2864711B1 (en) * 2003-12-30 2006-04-21 Soule Protection Surtensions OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE WITH SIMULTANEOUS TRIGGERED PARALLEL ECLATORS
US20090021881A1 (en) * 2004-07-26 2009-01-22 Vincent Andre Lucien Crevenat Overvoltage protection device with improved leakage-current-interrupting capacity
FR2873865B1 (en) * 2004-07-27 2006-11-10 Soule Prot Surtensions Sa OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE WITH IMPROVED CUT-OFF POWER
FR2880468B1 (en) * 2005-01-04 2007-04-06 Soule Prot Surtensions Sa APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WITH IMPROVED CUT-OFF CAPACITY

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH486788A (en) † 1968-08-28 1970-02-28 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Surge arresters
DE2005988A1 (en) † 1969-02-24 1971-09-02 Gen Electric Surge arresters
DE2530852A1 (en) † 1974-07-10 1976-02-19 Mitsubishi Electric Corp ELECTRIC SPARK GAP DEVICE
DD147174A1 (en) † 1979-10-26 1981-03-18 Dieter Sapich CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR TRIGGERING A TRIP LINE TRANSMISSION FOR PORTABLE LIGHTING VOLTAGE TESTING DEVICES
EP0933860A1 (en) † 1998-02-02 1999-08-04 PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. Overvoltage protection system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1887667B1 (en) 2010-05-19
FR2904893A1 (en) 2008-02-15
FR2904893B1 (en) 2008-10-10
ATE468639T1 (en) 2010-06-15
DE602007006597D1 (en) 2010-07-01
EP1887667A1 (en) 2008-02-13

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