PTC thermistor

A PTC thermistor comprising:

• a ceramic body having two opposing major surfaces, two opposing side surfaces, and positive temperature coefficient resistivity;
• a pair of electrode layers, each of said electrode layers having side surfaces, said electrode layers being provided on both major surfaces of the ceramic body, respectively, so as to be opposed to each other with said ceramic body interposed therebetween;
• a pair of metal terminals each having:
• a connecting plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, said connecting plate being electrically connected to a respective one of said electrode layers over substantially an entire surface of said respective electrode layer;
• a terminal plate opposed to and spaced apart from said connecting plate so that an inner space is formed between said terminal plate and said inner surface of said connecting plate, said terminal plate having an inner surface and an outer contact surface opposed to said inner surface;
• and
• a linking portion electrically connecting said connecting plate and said terminal plate;
• and
• a resin molded portion provided for integrating said connecting plates and said ceramic body, said resin molded portion being formed so as to:
• expose said outer contact surface of said terminal plate of each of said metal terminals;
• fill completely said inner space between said connecting plate and said terminal plate of each of said metal terminals;
• and cover and come into contact with said side surfaces of said ceramic body and corresponding said side surfaces of said electrode layers without spacing therebetween, wherein at least one of said pair of metal terminals further includes a fuse portion between said terminal plate and said connecting plate, respectively, said fuse portion having a narrowed dimension with respect to a corresponding dimension of said connecting plate.