Overvoltage protection arrangement consisting of a horn spark gap accommodated in an insulating housing

Abstract

The invention relates to an overvoltage protection arrangement consisting of a horn spark gap accommodated in an insulating housing () having a deion chamber. A trigger electrode is located in the ignition area of the horn spark gap. A varistor is also present, electrically connected in series to the horn spark gap. According to the invention, a first and a second disconnection apparatus are formed in the housing, wherein the first disconnection apparatus () is in heat-conducting connection with the varistor and, when a limit temperature is reached or exceeded, releases a spring-loaded slide () which interrupts the series connection between varistor and horn spark gap. Furthermore, the second disconnection apparatus () comprises a fusible conductor which is located inside the deion chamber, for example, and can be exposed there to an arc, wherein the fusible conductor holds a spring-loaded disconnector element () in a first position and releases this disconnector element () when fused as a result of the effects of the arc in such a manner that the disconnector element () adopts a second position, wherein an electrical connection to the trigger electrode is interrupted when the second position is reached. A three-pointed, rotatably mounted star or a circular disc with lugs or prongs is formed in the housing such that a first star point () is carried along by the slide () as it moves to interrupt the series connection. In the same way, a second star point () is carried, as the disconnector element () moves, from the first to the second position, wherein each movement of the star results in a rotation of the star around its axis of rotation () with the consequence that a third point of the star () releases a spring-loaded pivoting lever () which operates a remote signalling contact () and/or a visual fault status display ().