RESISTOR WITH THERMAL ELEMENT

摘要

A current limiter and related methods to protect a switched-mode power supply from inrush current. The current limiter may include a resistive element electrically interconnected in series to a thermal element. The resistive element and the thermal element may be disposed about a single, unitary core. The resistive element may be in the form of a wire wound resistor wound about the core. The thermal element may be in the form of plated portion of the core. The thermal element may act as a thermal fuse to prevent overheating and unsafe failure of the resistive element in cases where excessive current passes through the resistive element. The thermal element may be configured to trip in a safe manner without sparking or creating exposed energized conductors. Thus the current limiter may be operable to limit inrush current while providing for safe failure modes.