Abstract: Certain configurations of the present disclosure present a PTC starter. The PTC starter includes a housing, a first conductive terminal (6), a second conductive terminal (7), a control PTC thermistor (3), a start PTC thermistor (4) and a TRIAC (5), wherein the control PTC thermistor (3), the start PTC thermistor (4) and the TRIAC (5) being accommodated in the housing, the start PTC thermistor (4) being connected in series with the TRIAC (5), wherein one electrode of the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected with the gate (G) of the TRIAC (5), the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected in series with the start PTC thermistor (4), the volume of the control PTC thermistor (3) is less than 30 mm3, and the distance between the control PTC thermistor (3) and the start PTC thermistor (4) is less than 5 mm.

Abstract: A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for assembly of electric motor starter connecting packages that enable increased automation and reduced assembly via top-down assembly of circuit components, thereby allowing robotic placement, connection, and securing of circuit components. The connecting package can include an electric motor starter, with optional overload protector, packaged as one unit. The motor starter can include an electrical circuit containing a triac, current transformer, Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) element, resistor, and a capacitor. A cover and base of the connecting package enclose and firmly secure connected circuit elements without needing a circuit board or filler material. The device design enables quick testing of the motor starter circuit and circuit elements after being enclosed by the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides a socket for a circuit board that adds function of electrical resistive element to a contact. A socket includes a socket body extending at a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of contacts disposed in two lines along the longitudinal direction of the socket body. When a memory module is connected to the socket body, terminals formed on opposite surfaces of the memory module are electrically and elastically connected by the contacts. The contact includes a contact portion which contacts the terminal, a bent portion for generating an elastic force, and a base portion. The contact is made of a conductive metal having elastic properties, and the contact used for carrying signal is provided with a resistor of an electrical resistive material that is different from the conductive metal. The resistor is connected in a current path between the base portion and the terminal of the memory module.

Abstract: A socket (100) of the present invention includes a base member (20), a cover member (30), a plurality of contacts (40), a latch member (60A) that is rotatably supported by the base member (20) and rotates in response to movement of the cover member (30), an adaptor (50) providing a mounting surface for an IC package and attached with the base member (20) so as to move in an up and down direction in response to the movement of the cover member (30), and a latch plate (200) rotatably attached with the adaptor (50A) and urged by an elastic member. The adaptor (50A) is formed with a latch guide (58) that moves the latch plate (200) in the vertical direction when the latch plate (200) presses the IC package.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include a conversion technique that converts an aircraft circuit breaker having male auxiliary connectors (micro switch connectors) to an aircraft circuit breaker having female auxiliary connectors, such as those conventionally used on European-made aircraft. Techniques include adding a barrier to a conventional aircraft circuit breaker approved for U.S. markets. This barrier includes female auxiliary connectors integrated with the barrier, as well as a flexible circuit that connects the male connectors with the female connectors such that the female connectors can still receive separate male connectors in the female receptacles. Such a technique converts conventional aircraft circuit breakers into a European-style breaker without requiring a full European rebuild and re-qualification. Embodiments can include single and multiple phase versions, and configurations for use with high and low amperage.

Abstract: A low cost motor starter is shown having a PTC resistor 12 serially connected to a triac 14 and a bias resistor in turn adapted to be connected to the start winding of a single phase motor. A reed relay 16 having a sense coil 16a serially connected to the main winding in one preferred embodiment and in parallel with the main and start windings in a second preferred embodiment, is magnetically coupled to reed contacts 16b, 16c. Reed contact 16b is connected to a location intermediate the PTC resistor 12 and the triac 14 while reed contact 16c is connected to the gate of the triac. A gate signal phase shifting network comprising capacitor C1-R2 is also connected to reed contact 16c and the gate.

Abstract: A thermistor device includes include supports, contacts and offset posts configured to assist the fracturing of failed thermistor “pills” and to distribute the fragments of the fractured pills into compartment away from electrically conductive contacts in order to minimize arcing and overheating.

Abstract: A socket apparatus comprises a base portion defining an array of contact cavities. A plurality of contacts are inserted into the array of contact cavities defined in the base portion. The base portion includes a top side and a bottom side and a plurality of ribs extending from the bottom side. Each rib defines at least one sidewall that engages with an anchor of a contact to securely mount the contact. Each contact includes a mounting portion having a first anchor and a second anchor extending from the mounting portion and operable to engage a mounting surface of the base portion to securely mount the contact. The first anchor provides a first anchor force for the contact to the base portion that is substantially greater than a second anchor force provided by the second anchor to the base portion.

Abstract: An arc fault detection apparatus that provides for better discrimination of electrical arcing events from nuisance loads. The arc fault detection apparatus includes an arcing sense circuit having a comparator circuit with a variable threshold voltage that varies continuously with the line voltage. The arc fault detection apparatus has reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping in the presence of sudden changes in the load current that occur outside of a specified time window centered on each zero crossing point of the line voltage.

Abstract: A motor protector receiving bracket (10) is shown for use with a multiphase motor protector having at least two terminal pins (4 and 5). The bracket has a back wall formed with first (12e) and second (12h) slots for receiving respective pin terminals of the protector cradled in the bracket and are formed with features to prevent any movement of the protector relative to the bracket. The bracket is in turn adapted to be attached to a spring clip (14) welded to a motor casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting electrical arc faults that has reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping circuit, a processing unit, and an electromechanical interface. The processing unit measures multiple voltage levels provided by the arcing sense circuit during a specified number of consecutive time periods. Next, the processing unit determines the number of consecutive time periods during which the voltage levels exceeded a specified minimum value, take on successively lower or higher values, or fall outside a predetermined normal range of values. Based upon the results of this determination, the processing unit either trips the electromechanical interface to interrupt power to a load, or inhibits tripping of the electromechanical interface, thereby reducing the occurrence of nuisance tripping.