A DC circuit breaker includes a case, two fixed contacts, two movable contacts, a bypass plate electrically connecting the two movable contacts, a moving block to move the bypass plate, a moving block biasing member to bias the moving block in a direction away from the fixed contacts, a thermally responsive member, a latch, a shutter, and a shutter biasing member. The thermally responsive member deforms when an installation surface equals or exceeds a prescribed temperature. The latch restricts movement of the moving block by locking the moving block when the thermally responsive member is in a pre-deformation state. The latch cancels the restriction of the movement the thermally responsive member deforms. The shutter is insertable between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts. The shutter biasing member constantly biases the shutter in a direction to be inserted between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.

A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner. The closing lock comprises a substantially disc-shaped locking element and a first latching member, which, in order to lock the switching mechanism, interacts in the second switching position with a second latching member that is arranged on the movable contact member.

A breaker is provided with a first terminal piece on which a fixed contact is formed, a movable piece with a movable contact for pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact so as to contact therewith, a thermally-actuated element deforming with a change in temperature and moving the movable piece so that the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a second terminal piece electrically connected to the movable piece. The movable contact includes a first movable contact and a second movable contact arranged at a first end portion and a second end portion, respectively, of the movable piece in its longitudinal direction. The fixed contact includes a first fixed contact arranged at a position with which the first movable contact can contact, and a second fixed contact arranged at a position with which the second movable contact can contact.

A temperature-dependent switch which comprises a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a current transfer member. The switching mechanism, depending on its temperature, either closes the switch by pressing the current transfer member against the first and the second counter contact and thereby establishing an electrically conductive connection between the two counter contacts via the current transfer member, or opens the switch by keeping the current transfer member at a distance from the first and the second counter contact and thereby interrupting the electrically conductive connection. A closing lock is provided, which keeps the switch open when it has been opened for the first time. The closing lock comprises a spring washer which directly interacts with the current transfer member and mechanically locks the latter permanently when the switch has been opened for the first time so that the switch remains permanently open.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, once activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock.

A DC circuit breaker includes a case, two fixed contacts, two movable contacts, a bypass plate electrically connecting the two movable contacts, a moving block to move the bypass plate, a moving block biasing member to bias the moving block in a direction away from the fixed contacts, a thermally responsive member, a latch, a shutter, and a shutter biasing member. The thermally responsive member deforms when an installation surface equals or exceeds a prescribed temperature. The latch restricts movement of the moving block by locking the moving block when the thermally responsive member is in a pre-deformation state. The latch cancels the restriction of the movement the thermally responsive member deforms. The shutter is insertable between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts. The shutter biasing member constantly biases the shutter in a direction to be inserted between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.

A temperature-dependent switch having a housing with an upper part and a lower part, wherein a first and a second stationary contact are arranged on the housing, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member, and, in its second switching position, keeps the movable contact member spaced apart from the first contact. A closing lock prevents the switch, once having opened, from closing again by locking the switching mechanism permanently in its second switching position in a mechanical manner. The closing lock comprises a substantially disc-shaped locking element and a first latching member, which, in order to lock the switching mechanism, interacts in the second switching position with a second latching member that is arranged on the movable contact member.

A temperature-dependent switch has a first and a second stationary counter contact and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism with a contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first counter contact and, in this case, produces an electrically conducting connection between the two counter contacts via the contact member. The switching mechanism, in its second switching position, holds the contact member at a spacing from the first counter contact. A closing lock is provided, which prevents the switch, once opened, from closing again. The closing lock locks the temperature-dependent switching mechanism permanently in the second switching position thereof in a mechanical manner.