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Quick-connect positive temperature coefficient of resistance resistor/overload assembly and method

  • US 6,943,661 B2
  • Filed: 10/16/2001
  • Issued: 09/13/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A positive temperature coefficient of resistance current limiting assembly adapted for connecting to both nonlocking-type electrically isolated plugs and lockable-type electrically isolated plugs, comprising:

  • a positive temperature coefficient of resistance current limiting device having a body having a top, at least two adjacent sockets each having upstanding walls and at least one male terminal therein, a capacitor disposed on said top and a positive temperature coefficient of resistance resistor, at least one male conductive terminal in each of the at least two adjacent sockets, each of said male terminals being at least configured to receive a female conductive connection element on an electrically isolated plug, one of said two sockets having an interior cross-sectional size or shape that is different from the interior cross-sectional size or shape of the other socket and at least one of said sockets further being asymmetrical to facilitate connection of a cooperatively-shaped electrically isolated plug in only the proper orientation, and an engageable member disposed on an upstanding wall of at least one of said sockets and outside of said sockets such that it will not interfere with insertion of a single-conductor electrically isolated plug into either of said sockets, the engageable member further being positioned so its middle is disposed generally between lines extending axially through said male terminals when viewed from the side but offset to the side of a line extending between said male terminals when viewed from above, said engageable member further having a lower edge adapted to lockably engage a locking tab of a lockable electrically isolated plug when a lockable electrically isolated plug is inserted into said sockets.

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