Fusible link, and link and cable assembly

An improved cable assembly for electrical overload protection, the cable assembly comprising:

• a first cable having a protective covering and an end portion extending past the protective covering;
• a second cable having a protective covering and an end portion extending past the protective covering;
• a fusible link having opposing first and second ends, wherein the end portion of the first cable is electrically connected to the fusible link adjacent the first end of the fusible link, and wherein the end portion of the second cable is electrically connected to the fusible link adjacent the second end of the fusible link;
• and,
• a protective housing covering the fusible link and portions of the first and second cables, the protective housing comprising interconnecting first and second housing components, the protective housing having a first channel at a first end thereof housing a portion of the first cable, a second channel at a second end thereof housing a portion of the second cable, and an intermediate cavity therebetween housing the fusible link, wherein a portion of the intermediate cavity is spaced away from the fusible link to create a gap between the fusible link and an interior wall of the intermediate cavity, and wherein the protective housing further comprises a first rib extending from an interior wall of the first channel and a second rib extending from an interior wall of the second channel, the first rib contacting the protective covering of the first cable to contain the first cable, and the second rib contacting the protective covering of the second cable to contain the second cable.

An improved cable assembly for electrical overload protection, the cable assembly comprising:

• a first cable having a first end and a second end;
• a second cable having a first end and a second end;
• a fusible link comprised of a low melting temperature conductive material having opposed first and second ends, an intermediate portion, an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing side surfaces, wherein the upper, lower, and opposing side surfaces define a periphery of the fusible link, wherein the first end of the first cable is electrically connected adjacent the first end of the fusible link, and wherein the first end of the second cable is electrically connected adjacent the second end of the fusible link;
• and,
• an integral overmolded protective housing encasing the fusible link, the first end of the first cable and the first end of the second cable to form a permanent unitary element with the cables, wherein an interior wall of the protective housing is spaced away from a portion of the fusible link, and wherein a first end of the overmolded protective housing forms a mechanical connection with the first cable distal the fusible link and a second end of the integral overmolded protective housing forms a mechanical connection with the second cable distal the fusible link.