Patent ID: 8139338

Claim:
A load control apparatus for connection with a load current circuit to indirectly detect an overcurrent, as a current magnitude exceeding a predetermined limit value, occurring in an electric conductor element belonging to the load current circuit, on the basis of an increase in temperature, the load control apparatus comprising: a control current circuit including a temperature-sensitive switch member capable of changing its operational state in response to an increase in the temperature to a predetermined value; and a control unit adapted to detect a change in the operational state of the temperature-sensitive switch member, and to detect an overcurrent occurring in an electric conductor element based thereon, the control unit being configured to reduce current in the load current circuit as a response to a detected overcurrent, the temperature-sensitive switch member being adapted to be connected heat-conductively to a target element, in which at least part of the load current of the electric conductor element passes in an operating situation, and the temperature-sensitive switch member being further adapted to be electrically insulated from the electric conductor element of the load current circuit.