Patent ID: 6525642
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A self-recovering current-limiting device with liquid metal, the device comprising:a first and a second electrode for connection to an electric circuit to be protected, each of the first and second electrodes being made of a respective solid metal; a plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies; and a plurality of insulating intermediate walls supported by the plurality of insulating bodies; wherein the plurality of insulating intermediate walls and the plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies define a plurality of compression spaces, the plurality of compression spaces being disposed one behind the other between the first and second electrodes and being at least partially filled with the liquid metal; and wherein the plurality of insulating intermediate walls define a longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly thereto in a generally horizontal direction and each define a plurality of connecting channels, at least two of the plurality of connecting channels being disposed on a different radius relative to the longitudinal axis so as to enable a plurality of positions of use of the current-limiting device to be achieved by turning the current-limiting device about the longitudinal axis, a different current-limiting characteristic being provided in each of the positions of use.