Thermal protector for electric motors, in particular for compressor motors

Thermal protector for electric motors, in particular a protector for electric motors designed for refrigerator compressors and the like, comprising:

• a body (1) which constitutes the support to which all the components of the device are attached
• a switch (12) consisting of a fixed part (13) and a mobile part (14)
• an element made of bimetallic material (19), inserted between the mobile part (14) of switch (12) and heating means (8), which are designed to control the movement of said mobile part (14) away from fixed part (13)
• means (8) designed to heat said bimetallic element
• terminals (3, 4) which connect the device to the mains power supply
• a terminal (20) which connects the device to the motor power supply connector
• characterised in that said means designed to heat the bimetallic element consist of a spiral resistor (8) wound along a straight axis, through which the current supplying the motor passes, which said resistor is housed in a seating (6) made in body (1) of the device, and positioned in such a way that its axis is aligned with the zone of contacts (13) and (14) of switch (12);
• said seating (6) being cradle-shaped, with a section (7), corresponding to the base of said seating (6), having a semicircular contour, in which heating element (8) is housed, and two smooth side walls (9), positioned alongside said heating element (8), which slant divergently upwards.