Electroceramic component
An electric component includes a first base body that connects to a first contact, and an ally conducting element positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact. The electrically conducting element melts when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded. The electric component also includes an electrically insulating material that substantially surrounds the electrically conducting element and that is arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element.
1. An electric component comprising:
a first base body, which is comprised of ceramic, that connects to a first contact;
an electrically conducting element on the first base body, the first base body and the electrically conducting element being positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact that exists during normal operation of the electric component, and the electrically conducting element melting due to heating of the first base body when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded; and
an electrically insulating material substantially surrounding the electrically conducting element and arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element;
wherein the electrically conducting element connects the first base body to a second base body, and wherein the first contact is on the first base body and the second contact is on the second base body.
2. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein:
the electrically conducting element is connected to the second contact; and
the electrically insulating material is between the first base body and the second contact.
3. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating material is between the first and second base bodies.
4. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting element is thermally screened from the first and second contacts.
5. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein:
the first and second base bodies are bundled;
the electrically conducting element is in a space between the first and second base bodies; and
the first and second contacts contact the first and second base bodies, respectively, on sides of the first and second base bodies that face away from the space.
6. The electric component of claim 3 , further comprising an encapsulation that creates and encloses a hollow space for the electrically insulating material.
7. The electric component of claim 6 , wherein the encapsulation is heat resistant.
8. The electric component of claim 6 , further comprising a housing that surrounds the first and second base bodies, the electrically conducting element, the electrically insulating material, and the encapsulation, and that at least partially surrounds the first and second contacts.
9. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the first and second base bodies include a varistor ceramic.
10. The electric component of claim 9 , wherein the varistor ceramic comprises ZnO.
11. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating material drizzles or flows.
12. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating material comprises quartz sand or glass balls.
13. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting element comprises solder.
14. The electric component of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting element comprises solder with a melting point between about 80° C. and 180° C.