Abstract: An overcurrent protection thick-film resistor device and overcurrent protection circuit employing the same are provided. Overcurrent (e.g., surge current) flows into the overcurrent protection circuit due to electrical shorting between external cables and power lines in communication networks. The thick-film resistor suppresses sparks due to such overcurrent, which would otherwise negatively affect peripheral parts or components disposed around the overcurrent protection circuit. This function is achieved by providing a thick-film resistor having an elongated meander or spiral shape, and also having a width-reduced section at one location of the thick-film resistor. Any sparks will predictably occur at this width-reduced section. A casing or other spark-dampening mechanism can be disposed selectively around the width-reduced section of the thick-film resistor.