Patent ID: 7586725

Claim:
An overload protection circuit comprising: a first switch connected at a first side to a source of electrical power and at a second side to a feeder wire, said first switch having ON and OFF modes, wherein a leakage current is transferred to ground potential during a first switch OFF mode; a second switch connected between said first switch second side and ground, said second switch having ON and OFF modes; the feeder wire carrying current in a span between the second switch and a load; the feeder wire having a predetermined smoke limit; and a control module for generating at least one signal responsive to a thermal energy level within the feeder wire in excess of the smoke limit and controlling a first switch mode and a second switch mode, said at least one signal turning said second switch to said OFF mode when turning said first switch to said ON mode and said at least one signal turning said second switch to an ON mode when turning said first switch to said OFF mode, wherein the leakage current from said first switch passes through said second switch to said ground potential.