Electrical connecting terminal for mounting on a supporting rail

摘要

In the case of an electrical connecting terminal (1) for mounting on a supporting rail (2), especially of a switching installation terminal block, having a terminal housing (3) consisting of electrically insulating material, a mounting foot (4) which is constructed on the terminal housing (3) for mounting the connecting terminal (1) on the supporting rail (2), at least one electrical connecting body (5) which is arranged in the terminal housing (3) and consists of metal for the connection of at least one electrical conductor, and an overvoltage protection element (7) (preferably in the form of a diode, zener diode, varistor, gas suppressor or the like) which is electrically connected to the connecting body (5) at one contact end (6), it is possible to dispense with an additional connecting body, which is electrically connected to the other contact end (8) of the overvoltage protection element (7), for connection of a further electrical conductor, if the overvoltage protection element (7) can be electrically connected at its free contact end (8) to supporting rail (2) while the connecting terminal (1) is being mounted on the supporting rail (2). This connection or contact with the supporting rail (2) is expediently carried out automatically during mounting of the connecting terminal (1), to be precise for all types of supporting rails (2), that is to say U-shaped and C-shaped supporting rails (2).