Abstract: An electrical assembly comprising a housing forming a liquid tank inside thereof, dielectric liquid in the liquid tank, at least one fuse, and a blown fuse indication system. Each of the fuses is immersed in the dielectric liquid, and is provided with a striker pin. The blown fuse indication system is adapted to indicate a blowout of any one of the fuses by an indication signal. The blown fuse indication system comprises a first indication member and a second indication member. The first indication member is movable by the striker pins. The second indication member is immovably connected to the housing, and adapted to generate the indication signal as a response to relative movement between the first indication member and the second indication member.

Abstract: A fuse operation indicator assembly includes an elongate tube having first and second ends, a fuse striker receiving member at the first end of the tube and configured to receive a fuse striker, an actuating member at the second end of the tube and configured to be actuated responsive to the fuse striker member, and a detector configured to detect actuation of the actuating member.

Abstract: A power cord with an integrated socket box located between its plug and connector has many advantages, especially in the construction industry. Power tools can be manufactured with this power cord so that one need not look for an extension cord when he is seeking to use a secondary tool. This power cord also allows for multiple parties to work from a single power source. In some embodiments the power tool is an integral part of the electrical device, such as a power tool. In other embodiments, the power cord is permanently attached to the existing electrical device. In some cases a securing sheathe made of heat shrinking tubing is used to attach the power cord to the electrical device. In some embodiments the integrated socket box can have more than one socket. In at least one embodiment the integrated socket box has a ground fault interrupter.

Abstract: A switch includes a spring. The switch further includes a collapsing element. The spring has a first spring state in which it is being held in tension by a restraining element and a second spring state in which it is not being held in tension because the restraining element has failed. The collapsing element is situated such that when sufficient power is applied to the collapsing element heat from the collapsing element will cause the restraining element to fail. The switch further includes a first contact coupled to the spring. The switch further includes a second contact coupled to the spring. The first contact and the second contact have a first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the first spring state. The first contact and the second contact have a second 1-2 electrical connection state different from the first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the second spring state.

Abstract: A thermal overload protection apparatus for protection of an electrical component is disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, such apparatus may comprise a switching element for short-circuiting or disconnecting electrical connections, an actuator apparatus for switching the switching element to a short-circuit or disconnect position, and a tripping element which trips the actuator apparatus on a thermally sensitive basis. In some implementations, the actuator apparatus may be configured to be switched over for activation from an inactive state, in which the switching element cannot be switched by the actuator apparatus, into a trippable state, in which the switching element is capable of being switched by the actuator apparatus. Innovations herein also relate to corresponding arrangements having a conductor track mount, at least one component arranged thereon, and at least one associated overload protection apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device having one or more parallel-connected voltage-limiting elements which are located in one physical unit, such as varistors, diodes or means of this type configured in the form of a disc, comprising a shell apparatus in order to electrically disconnect the overvoltage-limiting elements when they are thermally overloaded, and means for indication and/or signalling of the fault state which then occurs, wherein the switching apparatus is connected via a means which can be released thermally, such as adhesive or a solder, to a connecting contact of the at least one overvoltage-limiting element, and/or to an external terminal contact or plug contact. According to the invention, the switching apparatus is in the form of a solid U-shaped switching fork, the fork tines of which run essentially parallel to the side surfaces of the overvoltage-limiting element, holding the latter in the space between the tines.

Abstract: A thermal overload protection arrangement for protection of an electrical component, which is arranged on a mount device having current-carrying elements, has a plurality of soldered connections, which make electrical contact between in each case on of the current-carrying elements and an associated connection of an electrical part and melt if the component is overloaded, and a disconnection apparatus for disconnection of at least one of these connections. The part is or at least has the component, and the disconnection apparatus is a disconnection apparatus which prestresses the component with respect to the mount device at least when it is heated for the physical separation of the component from at least one of the current-carrying elements, which trips when the soldered connections melt. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for protection of a component.

Abstract: A thermally activated initiator assembly uses a first bar that experiences a change in length as a function of temperature. The first bar is coupled to a first support. A second support is pivotally coupled to the first support and to the first bar so that the second support may move relative to the first support when the first bar experiences the change in length. An initiator is coupled to the second support adjacent to the high side of a ramp on the second support. A second bar is rigidly coupled to the first support. The second bar rests on the low side of the ramp prior to the first bar experiencing the change in length. When the first bar experiences the change in length, the second support moves relative to the first support causing the second bar to slide along the ramp until it falls off the ramp's high side to strike the initiator.

Abstract: A thermal switch comprises a first and second electrically conducting terminals and a pre-stressable electrically conducting connecting device such as a compression spring member. The connecting device, in a compressed state, contacts at most one of the first and second terminals, and, in a released state, electrically connects the first and second terminals. The thermal switch further comprises a retainer device retaining the connecting device in the compressed state. The retainer device comprises a retaining material that melts at or above a predetermined temperature for releasing the connecting device into the released state. In the compressed state of the connecting device, the first and second terminals are electrically insulated from each other by a hollow space formed between the connecting device and at least one of the first and second terminals.

Abstract: An electrical distribution device that includes a terminal for providing a connection to a first conductor, a spring mechanism having a first end that is electrically connected to the terminal, and a second conductor electrically connected to one or more internal components of the device. The spring mechanism has a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the second end is electrically connected to the second conductor by solder. When the solder melts, the spring mechanism moves from to the second condition in which the second end is no longer electrically connected to the second conductor, thereby protecting the internal components from the fault condition that lead to the overheating. A condition indicator may also be provided for indicating a fault condition.