Martin Wetter

Bio: Martin Wetter is an academic researcher from Phoenix Contact. The author has contributed to research in topics: Overvoltage & Surge arrester. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 42 publications receiving 146 citations.

Overvoltage protection device

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device for protecting electrical low-voltage installations, which device comprises a lower device part (2) and at least one upper device part (3), wherein the lower device part (2) has input and output terminals (4, 5) for the electrical conductors to be connected and also has contact elements (6, 7) designed in particular as sockets and connected to the input and output terminals (4, 5), and wherein the upper device part (3) has at least one overvoltage protection element (8, 9). A wide variety of models of the overvoltage protection device (1) can be achieved with a small number of different components and a neutral-impedance plugging in and withdrawal of the upper device part (3) by the additional provision of an intermediate device part (10) which at one end can be fitted onto the lower device part (2) and onto the other end of which the upper device part (3) can be fitted. The intermediate device part (10) has mating contact elements (11, 12) corresponding to the contact elements (6, 7) of the lower device part (2) and also has contact elements (13, 14) connected to the mating contact elements (11, 12). The intermediate part (10) has at least one longitudinal element (15) connected between two mating contact elements (11, 12), and the upper device part (3) has mating contact elements (16, 17) corresponding to the contact elements (13, 14) of the intermediate device part (10).

Device for diverting surge currents or transient overvoltages

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a device for diverting surge currents or transient overvoltages ( 1 ), with a switching stage ( 2 ) and a switching element ( 3 ). The switching stage ( 2 ) is so designed as to switch on the switching element ( 3 ) upon identification of an overvoltage or a surge current. The switching element ( 3 ) is a reversible semiconductor switching element, while the switch-on event is achieved by operating of the switching element ( 3 ) outside of the specified parameters.

Overload voltage protection system has electrodes set into diverging horn sections for arc propagation

Abstract: The over load voltage protection unit (1)has a pair of arcing horns (3,5) with electrodes (2,4) that create air breakdown arcing paths (6). The horn sections have ignition regions (8) in the base and the diverging section provides expansion of the arcing path.

Excess voltage protection device for low-voltage networks has a casing, electrodes, an electric arc combustion chamber and an ignition aid

Abstract: An electric arc combustion chamber (EACC) fits inside a casing (2) between first (3) and second (4) electrodes. An air blow-out discharger (ABOD) is active between the electrodes. An electric arc (8) occurs between the electrodes when the ABOD ignites. An ignition aid has an ignition element (9) that maintains contact with the EACC and the electrodes on each side.

New spark-gap technology with efficient line-follow current suppression for the protection of powerful LV distribution systems

Abstract: The electrical properties of low-voltage power systems (LVPS) can have a strong effect on the operational behavior of surge protective devices (SPDs) to be used for protection purposes. Besides the right selection, the qualification-testing of SPDs connected these systems has to be carried out under test conditions which meet the real operating conditions of the power systems in which these SPDs should be installed. In this regard, the “class I and Π operating duty tests” according to IEC 61643-11, chapter 8.3.4.3 is an essential test for the qualification of SPDs connected to LVPS. In this test the SPD is stressed with defined surge-current impulses while it is connected to a power system simulating the characteristic of the real LVPS in which the SPD should be installed. The focus of the work presented is laid on class I SPD based on a newly developed “line-follow current free” spark-gap technology. Fundamental aspects, like basic functional principles, construction details, the performance and also the advantages of this new class I SPD technology are presented and discussed in detail. A special focus is set on the performance of this technology in case of use in powerful LVPS with short-circuit currents up to 100 kA rms.

Survey of recent progress on lightning and lightning protection research

Abstract: Lightning and lightning induced effects have significant influence on many aspects affecting the public, which makes the research of lightning and lightning protection very important. However, due to the strong randomness and complex discharge mechanisms of lightning, the understanding of lightning is still far from satisfactory. On the basis of the International Conference on Lightning Protection 2014, this study gives a review of recent progress on lightning and lightning protection research covering the following aspects: lightning locating and observation, lightning physics, lightning electromagnetic transients, and lightning protection for various systems. The goals of this study are to give readers an overall introduction to the recent progress in lightning and lightning protection research, and to motivate them to conduct further studies to address the unsolved problems in lightning-related research.

Spark gap apparatus and method for electrostatic discharge protection

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a plurality of conductive circumferential extensions defined by overlapping circular voids between a first conductor surface and a second conductor surface.

Overvoltage protection element

Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrically conductive contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component. Reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage-limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that, in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage-limiting component, the position of the overvoltage-limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage-limiting component to be out of electrically conductive contact with the corresponding connection element.

Arc flash elimination apparatus and method

Abstract: An arc crowbar with electrodes (34A, 34B, 34C) separated by a gap (35) in a protective case. Each electrode is connected to an electrically different conductor of a circuit. A sensor (42, 44) detects an arc flash condition on the circuit and signals a trigger circuit (52) to send an electrical pulse to an arc-triggering device (36) in the arc crowbar gap. The triggering device ionizes a portion of the gas between the electrodes, initiating a protective arc between the electrodes that absorbs energy from the power circuit and trips a breaker, eliminating the arc flash condition. The triggering device may be a plasma gun, especially one that injects plasma of an ablated material into the gap. The sensor may signal a circuit breaker (26) to open in the power circuit. Arc flash sensor types may include a differential current sensor and/or an optical sensor.

Spark gaps for esd protection

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a first signal line that extends along a first direction, a spark gap device that has a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace, the first conductive trace being connected to the first signal line. The first and second conductive traces are spaced apart to define a spark gap, the first and second conductive traces being aligned along the first direction to direct an electrostatic discharge along the first direction from the first signal line through the spark gap to a ground reference electrically coupled to the second conductive trace. A second signal line is connected to the first conductive trace or to the first signal line in a vicinity of the first conductive trace, the second signal line extending along a second direction at an angle relative to the first direction.