A device for disconnecting a high-voltage direct electric current via a fuse interposed in a main branch, includes an overload system able to generate an oscillating overload current which, in the main branch, over at least one half-period of oscillation, is added to a fault current in terms of absolute value to ensure the melting of the fuse. A method for disconnecting a high-voltage direct electric current, via a fuse interposed in a main branch, includes: storing an electrical energy in an overload system; generating, by the overload system, an oscillating overload current which, in the main branch, over at least one half-period of oscillation, is added to the fault current in terms of absolute value to ensure the melting of the fuse.

A controllable circuit protector for power supplies with different voltages includes a first fuse and a second fuse connected in series to each other, a first heating unit, and at least one second heating unit in parallel to the first heating unit. A connected end of the first heating unit is electrically connected to a series-connected node between the first fuse and the second fuse, and a free end thereof forms a control terminal. When a load is irregular, the control terminal is connected to a ground terminal through a switch. For power supplies with different voltages, the effective resistance of the first heating unit and a part of the at least one second heating unit not melting is altered without causing drastic change arising from voltage variation to the total heating power, and the first fuse or the second fuse can duly melt down to protect the load.

A fuse includes first, second, and third terminals disposed on a substrate. Respective ends of one or more primary conductors of the fuse are connected to one of the first and the second terminals. The primary conductors have a first conductivity and are configured to open when a primary current between the first and the second terminals exceeds a first predetermined threshold. One or more secondary conductors have an end connected to the third terminal. The secondary conductors are configured to ignite when a secondary current through the secondary conductors exceeds a second predetermined threshold. When ignited, the secondary conductors open the primary conductors to thereby stop the primary current.

Apparatuses and methods for implementing contactor opening and fusing strategies in a power distribution unit are disclosed, including a power distribution unit comprising: one or more contactors coupled to one or more charging systems; one or more active fuses in a circuit connecting the one or more contactors to a battery system; and a microcontroller configured to: receive one or more current values; determine whether the one or more current values meet a first set of predetermined current thresholds; in response to determining that the one or more current values meet the first set of predetermined current thresholds, trigger the one or more active fuses; determine whether the one or more current values meet a second set of predetermined current thresholds; and in response to determining that the one or more current values meet the second set of predetermined current thresholds, signal the one or more contactors to open.

A self-powered wireless fuse switch is disclosed that is a plug-in replacement for a fuse found in the electrical system of vehicles. The self-powered wireless fuse adds remote-controlled switching capabilities for short and long-range control of power to subsystems of a vehicle electrical system. The wireless fuse switch includes a wireless control module having an internal power supply and an internal transceiver that receives commands from a remote control unit. A separate fuse module includes an outer housing and fuse blades that extend from the outer housing and interface with a fuse socket of the vehicle to selectively allow or interrupt power from the vehicle to the subsystem of the vehicle electrical system. The fuse module includes a fusible link, a relay controller and a relay in the outer housing. The fuse module receives power from and communicates with the wireless control module.

Apparatuses and methods for implementing contactor opening and fusing strategies in a power distribution unit are disclosed, including a power distribution unit comprising: one or more contactors coupled to one or more charging systems; one or more active fuses in a circuit connecting the one or more contactors to a battery system; and a microcontroller configured to: receive one or more current values; determine whether the one or more current values meet a first set of predetermined current thresholds; in response to determining that the one or more current values meet the first set of predetermined current thresholds, trigger the one or more active fuses; determine whether the one or more current values meet a second set of predetermined current thresholds; and in response to determining that the one or more current values meet the second set of predetermined current thresholds, signal the one or more contactors to open.

This protection element is provided with a first terminal, as well as a second terminal and a third terminal that are connected to the first terminal. Regarding the electrical resistance of a fuse element connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, at least a portion of a fuse element connecting the first terminal and the third terminal has a higher electrical resistance than the fuse element connecting the first terminal and the second terminal.