Lightning protection spark gap assembly and method for operating a lightning protection spark gap assembly

A method for operating a lightning protection spark gap assembly having:

• a lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′;
• 1″) having a first main connection (1a) and a second main connection (1b);
• wherein a first voltage line (S1) of a supply network can be connected to the first main connection (1a) and a second voltage line of the supply network can be connected to the second main connection (1b);
• a fusible link device (8) which can be triggered by a bridge igniter (7) and can be connected between the first or second voltage line (S1, S2) and the corresponding main connection (1, 1b) of the lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′);
• wherein at least one current path (TS;
• HS) leading via the lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′;
• 1″) can be formed during operation between the first voltage line (S1) and the second voltage line (S2);
• wherein the method has the steps of:
• capturing a current profile in the current path (TS;
• HS) or a corresponding portion of the current profile in the current path (TS;
• HS) and triggering the fusible link device (8) with an electrical or mechanical delay if the captured current profile in the current path (TS;
• HS) or the corresponding portion of the current profile in the current path (TS;
• HS) satisfies a predefined criterion.

A lightning protection spark gap assembly having:

• a lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′;
• 1″) having a first main connection (la) and a second main connection (1b);
• wherein a first voltage line (S1) of a supply network can be connected to the first main connection (1a) and a second voltage line of the supply network can be connected to the second main connection (1b);
• a triggerable fusible link device (8) which can be connected between the first or second voltage line (S1, S2) and the corresponding main connection (1, 1b) of the lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′);
• wherein at least one current path (TS;
• HS) leading via the lightning protection spark gap (1;
• 1′;
• 1″) can be formed during operation between the first voltage line (S1) and the second voltage line (S2);
• wherein the lightning protection spark gap (1″) has, in beside an arc region (41), at least one region (38, 39) which emits hard gas and in which a probe device (K1, K2, D;
• K0;
• K1, K2) is provided as an indicator device (IK;
• IK′;
• 1K″), which probe device makes it possible to trigger the fusible link device (8) if the region (38, 39) which emits hard gas is degraded such that the arc can make electrical contact with the probe device (K1, K2, D;
• K0;
• K1, K2).