ELECTRICAL TERMINAL FOR SURGE PROTECTION CARTRIDGE

摘要

An electrical terminal (100) and a housing (52) are sufficiently stiff to prevent arcing and physical damage to the electrical terminal upon being exposed to surge current/voltage. The terminal includes a base portion (112) from which two spaced apart arms (114 and 116) extend outwardly. First portions of the arms (118 and 120) are generally parallel to one another. Second portions of the arms (122 and 124) converge toward each other and then flare outwardly along third portions of the arms (126 and 128). There is a contact region (130) formed at the junction of the second and third portions; the contact region receives a lead of a surge protection device (70 and 72). The terminal is enclosed in an opening (80) in the housing (52); the opening being bordered by walls (84, 86, 88 and 90) closely adjacent (0.001 inches) to the first portions of the arms. When the terminal is exposed to a surge current/voltage, the walls stiffen the terminal and prevent arcing and physical damage.