SURFACE MOUNT MULTI-LAYER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE WITH ACTIVE ELEMENT BETWEEN PPTC LAYERS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surface-mountable electrical circuit protection device.SOLUTION: A surface-mountable electrical circuit protection device (10) includes layers defining a first polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) resistive element (16), a second PPTC resistive element (18), and at least one heat-generating electrical component (20) such as a planar zener diode chip positioned between, and in thermal contact with, the first and second PPTC elements, such that an electrical current above a threshold level passing through the component causes the component to heat, the heat being transferred to the PPTC resistive elements and tripping at least one, and preferably both of the first and second PPTC elements, to a high resistance state. A series of edge-formed terminal electrodes (22, 24, 26) enable surface-mount connection of the first and second PPTC elements and the electrical component on an electrical circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board. A method for manufacturing the device is also disclosed.