Abstract: A circuit protection device including a housing defining a chamber and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) stack disposed within the chamber. A first spring is electrically attached at a first end to a first input terminal of the MOV stack by a solder connection and at a second end to a first input line. The first spring is biased away from the first input terminal. A second spring is electrically attached to a second input terminal of the MOV stack by a solder connection and at a second end to a second input line. The second conductive spring is biased away from the second input terminal. When an overvoltage condition occurs, heat generated by the MOV stack melts at least one of the first or second solder connections to allow the corresponding springs to be displaced away from the respective MOV stack input terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising an interrupter and a first internal contact disposed within the interrupter; wherein an external terminal of the interrupter is configured for serving as a terminal in a switching mechanism; and wherein the first internal contact and the external terminal form opposite ends of a unitary conductive bar.

Abstract: A breaker circuit for disconnecting a surge arrestor is operable over a wide range of current values. A spring-tensioned conductor connects a first potential to a first terminal of the arrestor while a second terminal of the arrestor communicates with a second potential. The conductor is fuse-like and of predetermined current carrying capacity. The end of the conductor is connected to the first terminal by a solder bead of predetermined thermally-dependent strength. At low current values I.sup.2 R heating of the arrestor gradually weakens the solder bond to the first terminal, making it subject to disconnection by spring-induced tension force. At high current values, the conductor vaporizes to provide the rapid disconnect required to avoid explosion and/or fire.

Abstract: A fuseless breaking switch comprises essentially a casing, an alloy blade, first, second, and the third conductive plate, a spring blade and an adjusting screw. The switching on (off) of the button allows a closed (open) circuit through the alloy blade and the conductive plates and an adjusting screw secured inside the casing will help ensure the sensitivity of dealing with different voltage loading through the adjusting to the curvature of the alloy blade by the adjusting screw.

Abstract: A surge absorber in which a thermal response switch is inserted in an input line at the input side of a surge absorbing element. The switch includes a conductive spring piece and a conductive hook piece. The base end of the conductive spring piece is fixed on either the first lead or the second leads and the tip of the conductive spring piece is provided with a pawl. The base end of the conductive hook piece is fixed on either the first lead or the second leads and the tip of the conductive hook piece is engaged with the pawl. At least one of the conductive spring piece and the conductive hook piece is made of a thermal response piece. Upon stopping of the applied continuous overvoltages or overcurrents, the switch can automatically be restored depending on an extent of the overcurrent by a manual operation.

Abstract: A fuseless breaking switch comprising essentially a casing, an alloy plate, a first and a second prong, and a spring blade. The switching on of the button allows a closed circuit through the alloy plate and the prongs. An overload of current will cause the alloy plate to flex and thus break the circuit.

Abstract: An improved low-cost circuit breaker mechanism is provided which dispenses with the complicated and costly conventional use of latch mechanisms for realizing the tripping action. The circuit breaker mechanism essentially comprises an input electrical terminal having an associated contact where current is received, an output electrical terminal where current is delivered out of the breaker, and a conductive deformable section cantilever blade formed of thermostat metal and adapted to establish a conductive current path between the input contact and the output terminal. The cantilever blade is disposed in a normally closed position with a first end affixed to the output terminal and a second free end contacting the input contact, and is adapted to deflect from its normal closed position to an open position for interrupting current flow when the temperature of the cantilever blade increases as a result of the monitored current exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a low loss circuit breaker including a housing, two exterior contacts, a pivotable arm, a means for biasing, a bifurcated member and a shape memory alloy element. The pivotable arm has a latching portion and a contact portion with the contact portion in electrical contact with one of the exterior contacts. The means for biasing exerts a biasing force with respect to the pivotable arm. The bifurcated member has a contact arm in touching relationship with the contact portion of the pivotable arm and is in electrical contact with the one of the exterior contacts through the contact portion of the pivotable arm. The bifurcated member further has a flexure arm cooperating with the latching portion of the pivotable arm wherein the flexure arm releasably restrains the pivotable arm against the biasing force exerted by the biasing means.

Abstract: An automatic overload tripper which uses a push button to press a bent bimetal strip down against a spring which assures that a hook at an end of the bimetal strip can keep good electrical contact with a contact plate, and the hook can trip automatically at overload. The spring also pushes against the bimetal strip so that it will not restore its original position by itself after cooling, for safety purposes.