DISCONNECT SWITCH WITH INTEGRATED THERMAL BREAKER

摘要

A disconnect switch is disclosed with an integrated thermal breaker that can be disposed between a source of power and a circuit to be protected. The disconnect switch can comprise a housing, a first terminal coupled to a power source and a second terminal coupled to a load. The first terminal and the second terminal can be partially included in the housing. The disconnect switch comprises a bi-metal thermal conductive element made from at least two metal sheets with different thermal expansion coefficients and having a concave shape that engages the first and second terminals. Upon occurrence of an overload condition, heat flowing through the bi-metal thermal conductive element causes the concave shape to retract to a convex shape and disengage the bi-metal thermal conductive element from the first and the second terminals.

主权项

1. A circuit protection assembly for a mechanical disconnect switch having an integrated thermal breaker comprising:
a housing; a first terminal coupled to a power source; a second terminal coupled to a load, the first terminal and the second terminal at least partially included in the housing; a bi-metal thermal conductive element, the bi-metal thermal conductive element being made of at least two metal sheets with different thermal expansion coefficients; and an operating mechanism coupled to the bi-metal thermal conductive element, the operating mechanism structured to open and close the bi-metal thermal conductive element with the first terminal and the second terminal, the bi-metal thermal conductive element having a concave shape while electrically engaged with the first terminal and the second terminal upon respective application of power to the load, wherein upon occurrence of an overload condition, heat flowing through the bi-metal thermal conductive element causes the concave shape to retract to a convex shape and disengages the bi-metal thermal conductive element from the first terminal and the second terminal.