SURGE PROTECTOR WITH THERMALLY ACTIVATED FAILSAFE MECHANISM

摘要

A surge protector having a failsafe mechanism including at least one overvoltage protection element, at least one arm assembly, at least one ground element, at least one resilient member, and at least one protrusion. The at least one resilient member is electrically connected to the at least one ground element and the at least one protrusion is generally positioned between the at least one resilient member and the at least one arm assembly. The at least one protrusion is in thermal contact with the at least one resilient member, prevents the at least one resilient member from electrically contacting the at least one arm assembly during normal operation, and is spaced away from the at least one arm assembly. As a result of a sustained overvoltage condition, the temperature of the at least one resilient member increases thereby softening the at least one protrusion and allowing the at least one resilient member to electrically contact the at least one arm assembly to short the at least one arm assembly to the ground element.