SAFTEY FUSE FOR LOW-VOLTAGE APPLICATIONS

The invention relates to a safety fuse for low-voltage applications for protecting devices that can be connected to a power supply system, particularly overvoltage arresters, such as spark gaps or varistors, consisting of at least one fuse element located between two contacts and arranged in a protective housing, and a short-circuit auxiliary contact with an inner isolating distance to the fusing conductor. According to the invention, an externally activatable switching device for overriding the isolating distance is embodied inside the protective housing in order to trigger a low-resistance or impedance-laden short circuit, the switching device comprising an insulating element forming the isolating distance, which experiences a change of state by means of an exothermic activator, and the activator is connected to at least one control connection.