A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, an overvoltage clamping element electrically connected between the first and second module electrical terminals, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in a ready configuration, wherein the overvoltage clamping element is electrically connected with the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism is repositionable to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism includes: an electrode electrically connected to the overvoltage clamping element; a disconnect spring elastically deflected and electrically connected to the electrode in the ready configuration; a solder securing the disconnect spring in electrical connection with the electrode in the ready configuration; and a heat sink member thermally interposed between the electrode and the solder, the heat sink member having a thermal capacity. The solder is meltable in response to overheating of the overvoltage clamping element. The disconnect spring is configured to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal when the solder is melted. The thermal capacity of the heat sink member buffers and dissipates heat from the overvoltage clamping element to prevent the solder from melting in response to at least some surge currents through the SPD module.

A varistor component and a method for securing a varistor component are disclosed. In an embodiment, a varistor includes a first external contact, a second external contact, a varistor electrically connected to the first external contact, a path between the varistor and the second external contact and an active releasing device including a shutter and a heat sensitive element, wherein the heat sensitive element releases the shutter under abnormal operation conditions and the shutter closes the path between the varistor and the second external contact.

A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for thermal fuse circuit breakers. The thermal fuses described herein may be disposed in a connector, so that, should an overheating condition occur, for example, due to an arc discharge across or inside of the connector, the heat of the arc discharge melts a portion of the fuse, thereby preventing a potentially catastrophic event, such as fire, or damage to a component which may be more expensive than the thermal fuse itself.

The subject matter of the invention concerns a varistor with an isolating arrester, wherein the isolating arrester can interrupt the flow of current through the varistor in the event of a fault, wherein the isolating arrester has a terminal contact that establishes an electrical contact to a first contact of the varistor, wherein the electrical contact is protected by a thermally softenable holding device, wherein the isolating arrester also has a detachment means which is biased by means of an energy accumulator and which, in the event of a fault, if the thermally softenable holding device softens, mechanically disconnects the terminal contact from the first contact of the varistor, and wherein the detachment means is embodied so as to be resistive in order to limit the current through the varistor and prevent electrical arcs.

The present invention discloses a thermal fuse having dual metal elastic clamps, comprising: an insulating cylindrical tube; a first metal cap, a temperature sensing chamber formed by the first metal cap, the second metal tube and the inner side wall of the middle part of the through hole. The temperature sensing chamber axially arranges a plurality of components in the following sequence: a compressed spring; an insulating supporting pillar; a second metal elastic clamp; a connecting pillar a first metal elastic clamp; an organic temperature sensing body capable of melting when heating. The first metal elastic clamp, the second metal elastic clamp and the connecting pillar forms a movable conductive bridge. The movable conductive bridge slides flexibly in the temperature sensing chamber and has low contacting resistance with the first metal cap and the second metal tube. The above structure can withstand large current and has high reliability.

A fuse element for an electric circuit, arranged on a circuit board of the electric circuit, has a surface area for fastening and establishing an electric contact on the circuit board, a first deforming area adjacent the surface area, a second deforming area connected to the first deforming area via a central area, the second deforming area including a contact area that abuts the circuit board, and a hook-shaped element insertable into an opening adjacent the contact area, the hook-shaped element is insertable into the opening by elastic deformation of the fuse element in the direction of the circuit board and, after insertion of the hook-shaped element into the opening and positive holding of the hook-shaped element on a lower surface of the circuit board, the first and second deforming areas exert an elastic force on the surface area in the direction away from the circuit board.

A varistor component and a method for securing a varistor component are disclosed. In an embodiment, a varistor includes a first external contact, a second external contact, a varistor electrically connected to the first external contact, a path between the varistor and the second external contact and an active releasing device including a shutter and a heat sensitive element, wherein the heat sensitive element releases the shutter under abnormal operation conditions and the shutter closes the path between the varistor and the second external contact.

An activatable thermal fuse includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal, and an electrically conductive bridge element having a first electric contact with the first electrical terminal and a second electric contact with the second electrical terminal. At least a part of the bridge element is displaceable from a first position in which the first contact is established to a second position in which the first contact is opened, and a thermally sensitive member releases the part when exposed to a predetermined temperature value. An activating element blocks displacement of the part from the first position, in a first position of the activating element, and enables the displacement of the part in a second position of the activating element. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, a method of monitoring, and an electronic circuit including the thermal fuse are also provided.

A release mechanism for surge protectors includes a first electrical connection pin (6) soldered with a varistor's second electrode (5B), a function rotating member (3) sheathed on a fixed column (2B and installed between a varistor (5) and a bridge bracket (8), an elastic driving device (4) fixed into an internal box body (2), and a bridge bracket (8) fixed to a second electrical connection pin (7) in the internal box body (2). If the varistor (5) is not released, then the bridge bracket (8) will be passed through a soldering window (3C) and soldered with a varistor's first electrode (5A), or else the elastic driving device (4) will drive the function rotating member (3) to rotate around the fixed column (2B). An arc shield plate (3F) exposed from a failure status indicating area (2N) for triggering a remote linkage rod (9) shields the bridge bracket (8) and electrode (5A).