Thermal trip device having a current redirecting linking element, switching device, thermal magnetic circuit breaker and method for protecting an electric circuit

A switching device, comprising:

• at least one bimetal element, arranged with a first end at a current conductive element and arranged with a second end at a tripping slide, the current conductive element being configured to conduct electrical current, the tripping slide adapted to interact with a kicker element, and a linking element extending between the at least one bimetal element and the current conductive element to at least partially redirect at least one of the electrical current and the kicker element in order to hitch a mechanism trip bar, to unlatch a breaker mechanism, to interrupt the current flow, wherein the linking element is arranged with one end affixed between the first end and the second end of the at least one bimetal element and another end affixed to the current conductive element.

A method for protecting an electric circuit from damage by overload via a thermal trip device of a thermal magnet circuit breaker, the method comprising:

• conducting an electric current at least partially from a current conductive element, via at least a part of a bimetal element arranged with a lower end on the current conductive element, along a linking element arranged between the current conductive element and the bimetal element, and back to the current conductive element to heat the bimetal element to obtain a mechanical displacement of at least one area of the bimetal element, wherein the linking element is arranged with one end affixed between the first end and the second end of the at least one bimetal element and another end affixed to the current conductive element.