Overvoltage protector with integrated failure protection

An overvoltage protection apparatus with failure protection comprising:

• a first set of one or more overvoltage protection components connected between a powered line and a return line, wherein at least one overvoltage protection component of the first set of one or more overvoltage protection components generates heat when at its end of life;
• a thermal sensor assembly in thermal communication with the first set of one or more overvoltage protection components;
• and
• a electromechanical switch coupled to the thermal sensor assembly and configured to trigger a circuit breaker for the powered line when actuated, wherein when the thermal sensor assembly is exposed to a temperature corresponding to the heat generated by the at least one overvoltage protection component and the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, the thermal sensor assembly actuates the electromechanical switch to create a short circuit such that the short circuit triggers the circuit breaker to interrupt power supplied by the powered line.