Semiconductor power component comprising a safety fuse

Abstract

The invention concerns a semiconductor power element (diode 18) having a lead (11) and a safety fuse (12) situated in the main current path that blows when overheated, particularly for use in the electrical system of motor vehicles. In order to achieve a previously determined, purposeful disconnection of the endangered element in order to avoid consequential damages when semiconductor power elements become overloaded, it is proposed that a segment (11b) of the lead (11) and/or its points of contact in the main current path of the semiconductor be designed as a safety fuse (12) that blows when a specified, current-dependent temperature value is reached.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.