Provided is a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. The solid thermal pellet composition comprises an organic compound have low ionization potential, such as dibenzosuberenone. The solid pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (T.sub.f), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (T.sub.cap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 160° C. greater than the T.sub.f. The aging performance is further enhanced. Further, methods of enhanced processing and pelletizing are provided.

An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrical contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component. Reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage-limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that, in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage-limiting component, the position of the overvoltage-limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage-limiting component to be out of electrical contact with the corresponding connection element.

A surge protection device includes a metal terminal and a spring. The metal terminal is located between two metal oxide varistors, where the metal terminal extends beyond the metal oxide varistors. The spring has a flat surface that is connected to the metal terminal using a soldering paste. The flat surface has a bend on one end which forms a gap between the flat surface and the metal terminal.

Electrical connector comprising a detection device for detecting potential overheating, which comprises an electrically conductive element and an electrically insulating element inserted between the electrically conductive element and a low-voltage line. The electrically conductive element exerts an elastic force on the insulating element. For example, the electrically conductive element is a spring. In the event of overheating, the insulating element deforms under the pressure of the electrically conductive element and enables an electrical connection between two low-voltage lines. The overheating is detected as a consequence of the electrical design of this connection between the low-voltage lines.

The temperature sensitive pellet type thermal fuse includes a cylindrical case which has a first end and a second end, a temperature sensitive pellet, an insulating tube, a first lead which is inserted into the insulating tube and has an inner end serving as a contact portion, a movable contact which is electrically connected to the cylindrical case, a weak compression spring, a strong compression spring, and a second lead which is disposed on the second end of the cylindrical case. The movable contact includes a projecting contact portion which is provided at a central part of the movable contact, and the projecting contact portion and the contact portion of the first lead are in contact with each other inside the insulating tube.

The invention relates to a thermally triggered, mechanical switching device, consisting of a heat-sensitive means and a mechanical force-storage means, wherein the heat-sensitive means blocks or unblocks the movement path of a switching piece; furthermore, the switching piece is preloaded and held by the mechanical force-storage means, and comprising a housing that accommodates the aforementioned means. According to the invention, the housing is designed as a cartridge-shaped shell which receives a plunger in the interior thereof, which plunger is mounted in a movable manner through a first end-side opening in the housing and is supported against a fusible shaping part under pretension, wherein the fusible shaping part is arranged so as to cover a second opening, which is located opposite the first end-side opening, in such a way that, when the melting temperature of the fusible shaping part is reached, said fusible shaping part is displaced by the plunger and the plunger takes on a changed position.

The temperature sensitive pellet type thermal fuse includes a cylindrical case which has a first end and a second end, a temperature sensitive pellet, an insulating tube, a first lead which is inserted into the insulating tube and has an inner end serving as a contact portion, a movable contact which is electrically connected to the cylindrical case, a weak compression spring, a strong compression spring, and a second lead which is disposed on the second end of the cylindrical case. The movable contact includes a projecting contact portion which is provided at a central part of the movable contact, and the projecting contact portion and the contact portion of the first lead are in contact with each other inside the insulating tube.

The invention relates to a thermally triggered, mechanical switching device, consisting of a heat-sensitive means and a mechanical force-storage means, wherein the heat-sensitive means blocks or unblocks the movement path of a switching piece; furthermore, the switching piece is preloaded and held by the mechanical force-storage means, and comprising a housing that accommodates the aforementioned means. According to the invention, the housing is designed as a cartridge-shaped shell which receives a plunger in the interior thereof, which plunger is mounted in a movable manner through a first end-side opening in the housing and is supported against a fusible shaping part under pretension, wherein the fusible shaping part is arranged so as to cover a second opening, which is located opposite the first end-side opening, in such a way that, when the melting temperature of the fusible shaping part is reached, said fusible shaping part is displaced by the plunger and the plunger takes on a changed position.

Provided is a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. The solid thermal pellet composition comprises an organic compound have low ionization potential, such as dibenzosuberenone. The solid pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (T.sub.f), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (T.sub.cap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 160 C. greater than the T.sub.f. The aging performance is further enhanced. Further, methods of enhanced processing and pelletizing are provided.

A sensitive and practicable temperature control material which precisely or determinably detects whether the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature by electrical change from a conductive state to an insulated or lower-conductive state has excellent time stability, chemical stability, durability, and weather resistance. The temperature control material includes a heat-melt substance which melts by heat at a melting point according to temperature being detected, and a conductive paste which includes conductive powder. The temperature control material is in a conductive state by the conductive paste. The heat-melt substance is kept away from the conductive paste through a porous material and the temperature control material changes to be in an insulated or lower-conductive states. The heat-melt substance penetrates the porous material to irreversibly permeate and/or disperse into the conductive paste on a heat-melt state thereof.