Compagnie Industrielle De Tubes Et Lampes Electriques Citel

Michel Dorival

Christian Macanda

The lightning arrester device comprises an external metal casing (1) defining an enclosure (2) containing a neutral gas, and at least one metal rod (3a, 3b) forming an electrode and penetrating into the interior of the casing, insulating sealing means (4) being provided between the rod and the casing in order to close said casing, and comprising, moreover, at least one fusible element (5) adapted to create a short circuit between the electrode (3a, 3b) and the casing (1) when the quantity of energy to be diverted by the lightning arrester device exceeds a specified threshold. On its external wall, near one of its ends receiving an electrode (3a, 3b), the metal casing (1) comprises a housing (L), the fusible element (5) being disposed in said housing, and a strip (9) of insulating material surrounds said fusible element and the housing, said strip (9) comprising holes (10) and being itself surrounded by a conductive metal ring (11) electrically connected to the electrode, the whole unit being such that when there is a rise in temperature in the casing, the fusible element (5) begins to melt and flows through at least one hole (10) in the insulating strip to create a short circuit electrical contact between the casing (1) and the metal ring (11) connected to the electrode.

Lightning arrester device comprising at least one fusible element

The surge protection element comprises an inert gas-filled protective device with electrodes inserted between two line input terminals, these terminals being connected respectively to branch terminals of an installation to be protected. The surge protection element also comprises initial protection apparatus, intended to be inserted between the terminals of the installation to be protected, and having a response time and a voltage threshold below that of said protective device, and also decoupling apparatus connected in series between the terminals of the protective device and those of the initial protection apparatus. The decoupling apparatus are capable of causing the voltage to rise at the terminals of the protective device when the current strength passing through the initial protection means increases, whereby the protective device can be tripped and can take over from the initial protection apparatus.

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Orsay, France

Michel Dorival