This protective element includes a fuse element having a first end portion and a second end portion, in which current flows from the first end portion toward the second end portion, a protruding member and a recessed member that are positioned opposing one another so as to sandwich a cutoff portion, and a pressing device that imparts an elastic force that shortens the relative distance in a first direction that represents the direction in which the protruding member and the recessed member sandwich the cutoff portion, wherein at least one pair of opposing surfaces of a protruding portion of the protruding member and a recessed portion of the recessed member that intersect the direction of current flow through the fuse element are positioned close to one another when viewed in a plan view from the first direction, and the fuse element is cut at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the material that constitutes the fuse element.

A safety fuse for use in a motor vehicle includes which fuse comprises a first contact metal portion, a second contact metal portion and a melting metal section connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion. The melting section is enclosed by a casing made from a non-conductive material and includes two hollow half-shells provided with mutual coupling elements, each half-shell having an inner surface facing the melting section and an outer surface facing outside of the fuse. At least one of the half-shells is provided on at least part of the inner surface of an alveolar structure with open cells in the direction of the melting section. The alveolar structure is formed by a plurality of walls protruding from the inner surface and intersected with each other.

An arc flash mitigation system includes a main circuit protector such as a high amperage overcurrent protection fuse, and an arc flash mitigation network connected in parallel to the main circuit protector. The arc flash mitigation network includes at least one semiconductor switch operable to provide a shunt current path to a low amperage arc mitigation fuse for a faster response time to certain circuit conditions than the main circuit protector otherwise provides. The semiconductor switch may be a silicon controller rectifier operatively responsive to a voltage drop across the main circuit protector in use.

An arc flash mitigation system includes a main circuit protector such as a high amperage overcurrent protection fuse, and an arc flash mitigation network connected in parallel to the main circuit protector. The arc flash mitigation network includes at least one semiconductor switch operable to provide a shunt current path to a low amperage arc mitigation fuse for a faster response time to certain circuit conditions than the main circuit protector otherwise provides. The semiconductor switch may be a silicon controller rectifier operatively responsive to a voltage drop across the main circuit protector in use.

Provided herein are protection devices having U-shaped fuse elements. In some embodiments, a protection device may include a housing defining a cavity, and a fuse element within the cavity. The fuse element may include a first component and a second component separated by a barrier, and wherein the first and second components are joined at a fusible bridge.

A high-voltage direct-current thermal fuse includes one or more fusible components each having two fusible alloy support arms, a fluxing agent, a fusing cavity, two pins, and an insulation block. Two fusible alloy support arms are arranged opposite, and the fusible component is U-shaped. The fusible component and the fluxing agent are sealed within the fusing cavity. The two pins are respectively connected to the two fusible alloy support arms. The insulation block is arranged between the two fusible alloy support arms and separates the two pins. A volume ratio of the fluxing agent to the fusing cavity is approximately 50% or less, preferably, 10%-50%. The number of the one or more fusible components is at least two, and the at least two fusible components are arranged separately. The thermal fuse can avoid the burst and quickly cut off the current, which provides effective thermal protection for a circuit.

A power fuse for protecting an electrical load subject to transient load current cycling events in a direct current electrical power system is provided. The power fuse includes at least one fuse element assembly that includes an elongated planar substrate, a plurality of fusible weak spots, and a conductor. The weak spots are formed on the substrate and are longitudinally spaced from one another on the substrate. The conductor is separately provided from the substrate and the weak spots. The conductor includes a solid elongated strip of metal having no stamped weak spot openings therein and therefore avoiding thermal-mechanical fatigue strain in the conductor when subjected to the transient load current cycling events. The solid elongated strip of metal includes coplanar connector sections that are mounted to respective ones of the weak spots and obliquely extending sections bent out of plane of the connector sections to extend above the substrate.

A power fuse includes a housing, first and second conductive terminals extending from the housing, and at least one fatigue resistant fuse element assembly connected between the first and second terminals. The fuse element assembly includes at least a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate respectively connecting the first and second conductive terminals, and a plurality of separately provided wire bonded weak spots interconnecting the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate.

A safety fuse for use in a motor vehicle includes which fuse comprises a first contact metal portion, a second contact metal portion and a melting metal section connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion. The melting section is enclosed by a casing made from a non-conductive material and includes two hollow half-shells provided with mutual coupling elements, each half-shell having an inner surface facing the melting section and an outer surface facing outside of the fuse. At least one of the half-shells is provided on at least part of the inner surface of an alveolar structure with open cells in the direction of the melting section. The alveolar structure is formed by a plurality of walls protruding from the inner surface and intersected with each other.

A fuse module including a mounting block having a through-hole extending therethrough, a fuse including an upper portion disposed on a top of the mounting block and having a through-hole, a lower portion disposed on a bottom of the mounting block and having a through-hole, and a fusible element disposed adjacent a sidewall of the mounting block and connecting the upper portion to the lower portion, the fuse module further including a housing having a main body portion encasing the mounting block and the fuse, the main body portion having apertures in top and bottom surfaces thereof aligned with the through-hole of the mounting block, and a cap portion connected to the main body portion and disposed over the fusible element, the cap portion having surface features extending from an interior surface thereof for absorbing energy upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition in the fuse.