Overvoltage protection plug

A connection block assembly comprising:

• a connection block including a plurality of circuit connection locations positioned in a linear array;
• a ground bar attached to the connection block and including a plurality of grounding extensions corresponding to the plurality of circuit connection locations extending from the connection block;
• and
• an overvoltage protection plug inserted at one of the plurality of connection locations, the overvoltage protection plug including:
• a housing forming a body and an insertion portion extending from a generally central location of a front portion of the housing, the front portion of the housing including a front surface from which the insertion portion extends;
• metallic connection pads protruding from the housing at the insertion portion and configured for interconnection to the connection block;
• an overvoltage protection device mounted to the circuit board and residing within the housing, the overvoltage protection device electrically connected to the metallic connection pads;
• and
• a grounding clip positioned in an opening in the front surface of the housing, the grounding clip configured to connect to one of the plurality of grounding extensions extending from the grounding bar mounted to the connection block;
• wherein the front surface extends from the insertion portion in a direction away from the opening a first distance that is greater than a second distance between the insertion portion and the opening,
• wherein the positions of the insertion portion, the front surface, and the opening including the grounding clip allow insertion into the connection block in a single orientation in which the grounding clip receives the grounding extension, and wherein the front surface of the housing prevents insertion of the insertion portion in any other orientation based at least in part on relative positioning of the grounding extension and front surface;
• and
• wherein the overvoltage protection plug includes a handle extending rearwardly from a top edge of the housing.

A method of protecting a circuit formed at a connection block, the method comprising:

• inserting an overvoltage protection plug into a connection location of a plurality of connection locations in the connection block in a particular orientation, the overvoltage protection plug including a housing forming a body and an insertion portion extending from a generally central location of a front portion of the housing, the front portion of the housing including a front surface from which the insertion portion extends, metallic connection pads protruding from the housing at the insertion portion and configured for interconnection to a connection block, an overvoltage protection device mounted to a circuit board and residing within the housing, the overvoltage protection device electrically connected to the metallic connection pads;
• and a grounding clip positioned in an opening in the front surface of the housing, the grounding clip configured to connect to a grounding extension extending from a grounding bar mounted to the connection block;
• wherein the front surface extends from the insertion portion in a direction away from the opening a first distance that is greater than a second distance between the insertion portion and the opening,
• wherein the positions of the insertion portion, the front surface, and the opening including the grounding clip allow insertion into the connection block in a single orientation corresponding to the particular orientation in which the grounding clip receives the grounding extension, and wherein the front surface of the housing prevents insertion of the insertion portion in any other orientation based at least in part on relative positioning of the grounding extension and front surface;
• and
• wherein the overvoltage protection plug includes a handle extending rearwardly from a top edge of the housing.