Patent ID: 8482896

Claim:
Overvoltage protection element, comprising: a housing, at least one overvoltage limiting component which is located in the housing, and two connecting elements for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to a current or signal path to be protected, wherein, in a normal state of the overvoltage protection element, each of the connecting elements is in electrically conductive contact with a respective pole of the overvoltage limiting component, wherein the overvoltage limiting component is pivotally mounted in the housing, wherein, in the normal state of the overvoltage protection element at least one pole of the overvoltage limiting component is connected to the respective connecting element via a plug-and-socket connection, wherein at least one spring element is located between the housing and the overvoltage limiting component such that, when the overvoltage limiting component is thermally overloaded the spring element rotates the overvoltage limiting component in a manner causing at least one pole of the overvoltage limiting component to be removed from electrically conductive contact with the respective connecting element, wherein a thermally separating connection is provided between the overvoltage limiting component and the housing in a manner which prevents rotation of the overvoltage limiting component in the normal state of the overvoltage limiting component, and wherein the thermally separating connection separates when the temperature of the overvoltage limiting component exceeds a given boundary temperature.