Fuse programming circuits, devices and methods. In some embodiments, a fuse circuit can include a fuse pad configured to receive a voltage, a fuse having a first end coupled to the fuse pad and a second end coupled to a switching element configured to enable a current to pass from the fuse pad to a ground potential.

A method for operating a protective apparatus and a protective apparatus, in particular a self-tripping explosive fuse, wherein the protective apparatus includes a fuse element, which is designed to interrupt a conductor section by an explosion. A tripping unit is designed to trip the explosion by an ignition voltage (U.sub.Z) when the ignition voltage exceeds a prescribed value. The protective apparatus has a thermoelectric element, which generates the ignition voltage (U.sub.Z) depending on heating of the conductor section.

A method of making printed circuit board vias using a double drilling and plating method is disclosed. A first hole is drilled in a core, the first hole having a first diameter. The first hole is filled and/or plated with an electrically conductive material. A circuit pattern may be formed on one or two conductive layers of the core. A multilayer structure may then be formed including a plurality of cores that also include pre-drilled and plated via holes, wherein at least some of the pre-drilled and plated via holes are aligned with the first hole. A second hole is then drilled within the first hole and the aligned pre-drilled and plated holes, the second hole having a second diameter where the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. A conductive material is then plated to an inner surface of the second hole.

A switch device capable of safely opening or short-circuiting an electrical circuit in response to an abnormality such as wetting with water or liquid leaking from a battery is provided. The device includes a conductor connected to an external circuit, and a reaction part including a liquid-soluble material which opens the conductor and the external circuit and which dissolves on contacting a liquid entering the device interior to electrically connect the conductor and the external circuit.

A battery, a battery pack for the battery, and a busbar for connecting battery cells, the busbar having an electrically conductive metal sheet and having at least one sheet metal connector piece, which is incorporated into the metal sheet with the aid of a cutting method and which protrudes from the metal sheet; the sheet metal connector piece has a contacting part for electrically connecting to a pole of the battery cell and a safety part embodied in the form of a fuse. In order to create a busbar that is durable and simply designed and nevertheless has a high degree of fire safety, it is proposed that the safety part be embodied in the form of a coiled helical spring.

A battery, a battery pack for the battery, and a busbar for connecting battery cells, the busbar having an electrically conductive metal sheet and having at least one sheet metal connector piece, which is incorporated into the metal sheet with the aid of a cutting method and which protrudes from the metal sheet; the sheet metal connector piece has a contacting part for electrically connecting to a pole of the battery cell and a safety part embodied in the form of a fuse. In order to create a busbar that is durable and simply designed and nevertheless has a high degree of fire safety, it is proposed that the safety part be embodied in the form of a coiled helical spring.

An example electrical interruption switch includes a casing, surrounding a contact unit defining a current path therethrough. The contact unit has a first and second connection contact, a separation region and an upsetting region. A current supplied to the contact unit via the first connection contact can be discharged via the second connection contact, or vice versa. The contact unit includes, or is connected to, a sabot configured to move from a starting to an end position via pressure; in the end position, the separation region is separated causing an insulation spacing between the first and second connection contacts. The upsetting region, upset during movement of the sabot from the starting to end positions, is formed as a tubular or rod-shaped element having; the tubular or rod-shaped element has one or more tapers in its cross-sectional diameter; and the cross-sectional diameter is defined perpendicular to the axis.

A fuse device includes a fuse element and a cooling member, wherein the fuse element includes a low thermal conductivity portion having a relatively low thermal conductivity in which an interrupting portion that is blown out by heat is separated from the cooling member, and a high thermal conductivity portion having a relatively high thermal conductivity, provided in a portion other than the interrupting portion, and in contact with or close to the cooling member.

The invention relates to a type-II overvoltage protection device having a varistor and a protective element, wherein the protective element has a first contact for connecting to a first potential of a supply network and a second contact that is connected to a first contact of the varistor, wherein the varistor further comprises a second contact for connecting to a second potential of a supply network, wherein the protective element has a fuse element that connects the first contact and the second contact of the protective element, wherein the protective element further comprises a third contact that is connected to the second contact of the varistor and is arranged so as to be near to but electrically insulated from the fuse element, wherein the fuse element has a constriction in the proximity of the neighboring contact, with the constriction being embodied such that the fuse element has an electrically conductive fluxing agent in the proximity of the constriction, with the fluxing agent having a lower fusion point than the fuse element itself, so that pulses corresponding to a load below the type-II rating do not result in a lasting change in the constriction, wherein the constriction, in conjunction with the fluxing agent, is dimensioned such that pulses corresponding to the limit range of the type-II rating result in the fusing of the fluxing agent into the fuse element, and wherein pulses corresponding to a load that is stronger and/or of greater duration than the type-II rating of the varistor result in the immediate disconnection of the fuse element.

The disclosed concept relates generally to overlay composite fuse elements, materials for their construction that include copper and silver metals, and methods of production and fabrication using metal stamping and ultrasonic welding processes. In certain embodiments, a composite overlay fuse element includes a composite metal material 37 constructed of silver and copper metals, which includes a plurality of strain absorbing bend features 39 constructed of copper metal, and a plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 constructed of a silver metal portion and a copper metal portion. The silver and copper metal portions on each of the plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 are connected by a weld joint surface 45 that is structured to form an overlay of the silver and copper metal portions.