Patent attributes
An overcurrent protection circuit for low-voltage, high-current electrical systems comprises a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resistor in series with an auto-reset thermal breaker. The breaker allows for intermittent current within an assumed product usage duty cycle, and repeatedly trips and resets on sustained high current usage or during a short-circuit fault. The PTC resistor limits current in the system to a low value when the temperature rises to the PTC resistor's trip point. The PTC resistor protects the system from thermal damage during the non-breaker-tripped portions of sustained high current use, or during continuous low-current use. The use of both the PTC resistor and auto-reset breaker provides thermal overcurrent protection while allowing for performance claims based on an assumed duty cycle of product use.
