Abstract: A protective switch for protecting a circuit includes an operating element or rocker switch, contact connections projecting from a housing, a contact spring electrically connected to a first contact connection and having a free end covering a second contact connection for making contact. A bimetallic element in the housing runs transversely to a slider longitudinal direction and is electrically connected between the first contact connection and through the contact spring to the second contact connection. A slider slides in the housing and has a contact end bearing against and acting upon the contact spring counter to its restoring force in a contact position. The slider is latched by the operating element in a turned-on position. The bimetallic element is coupled to the slider for thermal tripping and has a first longitudinal section at least partly covering and unlatching the slider upon overcurrent to break contact, and a second longitudinal section.

Abstract: A preferably push button-actuated overload protective circuit breaker with bimetal cut-out is devised for being plugged into a flat female plug socket. The circuit breaker comprises a bimetal contact element and a fixed contact element besides each other and consisting each of an elongated punched-out part of substantially flat right parallelepiped shape. They have outer ends protruding out of a circuit breaker housing and lying with their flat longitudinal sections in the same plane, while their inner free ends inside the housing have their flat longitudinal sections lying in two different planes which are parallel with, but spaced from each other. A bimetal snap element is fastened at one end thereof, on the inner free end of the bimetal contact element and overlaps with its opposite slewable end, which bears a bimetal contact post, the inner free end of the fixed contact element and a fixed contact post thereon.