Patent ID: 6498560
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: H01H,H02K

Abstract:
A protector assembly for protecting an electric motor from an overload condition, the motor having a motor winding, the assembly comprising:a thermally responsive protector comprising a thermally and electrically conductive housing and at least one terminal, the housing having rearward and forward ends and an intermediate portion between the ends, the terminal being electrically insulated from the housing and having an outer end extending rearwardly from the rearward end of the housing, the protector being adapted to be positioned in heat-transfer relation with the motor winding in a manner such that the protector is responsive to an overload condition of the motor winding; a skirt having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the skirt being of a dielectric material; the skirt being positioned on the protector in a manner such that: (a) the skirt is spaced from the intermediate portion of the housing; (b) the forward portion of the skirt surrounds the rearward end of the housing; and (c) the rearward portion of the skirt extends rearwardly from the rearward end of the housing and surrounds the outer end of the terminal; the skirt being adapted to provide a dielectric barrier between the protector and the motor winding when the protector is positioned in heat-transfer relation with the motor winding.