An electrical circuit breaker system including an input terminal connecting an electrical current source and a plurality of output terminals for connecting electrical loads. Each output terminal includes an electrical switch and a current measuring unit. The circuit breaker system includes a current acquiring unit for acquiring current magnitudes measured at the output terminals and for determining a total current magnitude. A temperature acquiring unit acquires a temperature, and a computing unit is configured to determine a total current limit as a function of the acquired temperature. Further, a control unit is configured to select one of the plurality of output terminals based on a ranking of the output terminals and to interrupt the current supply at the selected output terminal by means of the corresponding electrical switch when the total current magnitude exceeds the determined total current limit.

An electrical circuit breaker system including an input terminal connecting an electrical current source and a plurality of output terminals for connecting electrical loads. Each output terminal includes an electrical switch and a current measuring unit. The circuit breaker system includes a current acquiring unit for acquiring current magnitudes measured at the output terminals and for determining a total current magnitude. A temperature acquiring unit acquires a temperature, and a computing unit is configured to determine a total current limit as a function of the acquired temperature. Further, a control unit is configured to select one of the plurality of output terminals based on a ranking of the output terminals and to interrupt the current supply at the selected output terminal by means of the corresponding electrical switch when the total current magnitude exceeds the determined total current limit.

A circuit breaker includes: at least one switching path of a first terminal of the circuit breaker to a second terminal of the circuit breaker; at least one semiconductor switch arranged in the switching path; a semiconductor version switch for predefinably interrupting the switching path upon actuation by a release of the circuit breaker; a characteristic variable unit connected to the release; and a current measuring arrangement for ascertaining a current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch, the current measuring arrangement being connected with the characteristic variable unit. The characteristic variable unit correlates a characteristic variable with a junction temperature of the at least one semiconductor switch that is ascertained from the current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch.

A circuit breaker includes: at least one switching path of a first terminal of the circuit breaker to a second terminal of the circuit breaker; at least one semiconductor switch arranged in the switching path; a semiconductor version switch for predefinably interrupting the switching path upon actuation by a release of the circuit breaker; a characteristic variable unit connected to the release; and a current measuring arrangement for ascertaining a current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch, the current measuring arrangement being connected with the characteristic variable unit. The characteristic variable unit correlates a characteristic variable with a junction temperature of the at least one semiconductor switch that is ascertained from the current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch.

An overcurrent protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode disposed substantially parallel to a second electrode. A material may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of conductive material nodules may be disposed in the material between the first electrode and the second electrode, including a first conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the first electrode and a second conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the second electrode and the first conductive material nodule. In response to an overcurrent condition the material may be configured to expand, such that the contact between the first electrode, the first conductive material nodule, the second conductive material nodule, and the second electrode is at least partially interrupted.

An overcurrent protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode disposed substantially parallel to a second electrode. A material may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of conductive material nodules may be disposed in the material between the first electrode and the second electrode, including a first conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the first electrode and a second conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the second electrode and the first conductive material nodule. In response to an overcurrent condition the material may be configured to expand, such that the contact between the first electrode, the first conductive material nodule, the second conductive material nodule, and the second electrode is at least partially interrupted.

An overcurrent protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode disposed substantially parallel to a second electrode. A material may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of conductive material nodules may be disposed in the material between the first electrode and the second electrode, including a first conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the first electrode and a second conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the second electrode and the first conductive material nodule. In response to an overcurrent condition the material may be configured to expand, such that the contact between the first electrode, the first conductive material nodule, the second conductive material nodule, and the second electrode is at least partially interrupted.

An overcurrent protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode disposed substantially parallel to a second electrode. A material may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of conductive material nodules may be disposed in the material between the first electrode and the second electrode, including a first conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the first electrode and a second conductive material nodule at least partially contacting an inner surface of the second electrode and the first conductive material nodule. In response to an overcurrent condition the material may be configured to expand, such that the contact between the first electrode, the first conductive material nodule, the second conductive material nodule, and the second electrode is at least partially interrupted.

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.

The cooling device includes an electrocaloric portion including an electrocaloric effect material, a first thermal switch including a first actuator, and a second thermal switch including a second actuator, in which a thickness and a length of the first actuator and the second actuator are changed depending on an electric field to be applied.