Abstract: A directly heatable bimetallic strip which can be disposed to carry the load current through a thermal trip.The bimetallic strip comprises an elongate member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion comprises three or more odd number of parallel arms extending substantially longitudinally of the strip. The arms are connected in meanderline fashion with one arm connected to the first end portion and another arm connected to the second end portion and the junctions of the arms being spaced from the first and second end portions. Two connecting pieces of an insulating material are provided. One connecting piece rigidly joins together the first end portion, the arm connected thereto and the junction or junctions adjacent to, but spaced from, the first end portion, and the other connecting piece rigidly joins together the second end portion, the arm connected thereto and the junction adjacent to, but spaced from, the second end portion.