| CPC H02H 3/20 (2013.01) [H01C 7/12 (2013.01); H01C 7/18 (2013.01); H02H 3/023 (2013.01)] | 28 Claims |
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1. An overvoltage protection device module comprising:
an electrically conductive first electrode;
an electrically conductive housing electrode; and
a varistor member formed of a varistor material and electrically connected between the first electrode and the housing electrode;
wherein the housing electrode includes:
a housing end wall and a housing side wall collectively defining a housing cavity; and
first and second housing members joined together at a joint, wherein the first housing member forms a first portion of the housing side wall and the second housing member forms a second portion of the housing side wall;
wherein the varistor member is disposed in the housing cavity;
wherein the overvoltage protection device module includes an integral fail-safe mechanism including an electrically conductive, meltable member; and
wherein the meltable member is responsible to heat in the overvoltage protection device module to melt and form a short circuit current flow path through the meltable member, between the first electrode and the housing electrode and bypassing the varistor member.
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