Connector with surge protection structure
A connector ( 10 ) is provided that includes a housing supporting a plurality of individual connection blocks ( 30, 35, 40 ) each having a power source input and an electronics output. Surge protection structure ( 51 - 54 ) is embedded within the housing of the connector ( 10 ) and is electrically coupled to at least some of the individual connection blocks ( 30, 35, 40 ). The connector ( 10 ) may be implemented within a lighting fixture ( 100 ).
1. A lighting fixture, comprising:
a light source;
electronics electrically coupled to and powering said light source;
a terminal block connector, said terminal block connector being within the lighting fixture and having a housing supporting a live connection block, a neutral connection block, and a ground connection block;
said live connection block, said neutral connection block, and said ground connection block each having a high voltage power source input and a lighting fixture electronics output; each said lighting fixture electronics output electrically connected to said power source input;
said lighting fixture electronics output of at least said live connection block and said neutral connection block electrically connected to said electronics; said terminal block connector further including a first varistor electrically connected between said live connection block and said neutral connection block, a second varistor electrically connected between said live connection block and said ground connection block, and a third varistor electrically connected between said neutral connection block and said ground connection block;
wherein said first varistor, said second varistor, and said third varistor are inaccessibly enclosed within said housing.
2. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said electronics include an LED driver.
3. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said electronics include a step-down transformer electrically interposed between said terminal block connector and said LED driver.
4. The lighting fixture of claim 3 , wherein said electronics include an occupancy sensor.
5. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said first varistor, said second varistor, and said third varistor may not be physically contacted without destroying said housing.
6. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said first varistor, said second varistor, and said third varistor may not be physically contacted without disassembling said housing.
7. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said terminal block connector further includes a fourth varistor electrically connected between said live connection block and said neutral connection block.
8. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said light source is LED-based.
9. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said ground connection block ( 10 ) is affixed to structure within said lighting fixture.
10. The lighting fixture of claim 3 , wherein said ground connection block ( 40 ) is electrically connected to said LED driver ( 64 ) through said step-down transformer.
11. The lighting fixture of claim 10 , wherein said live connection block and said neutral connection block are electrically connected to said LED driver through said step-down transformer and said ground connection block is electrically connected to said LED driver independent of said step-down transformer.
12. The lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a base and said live connection block ( 30 ), said neutral connection block, and said ground connection block are all supported atop said base ( 20 ).
13. The lighting fixture of claim 7 , wherein said varistors are substantially embedded within said base.