thermal cutout[′thər·məl ′kəd‚au̇t]
A heat-sensitive switch that automatically opens the circuit of an electric motor or other device when the operating temperature exceeds a safe value.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
An overcurrent protective device in an electric circuit; contains a heater element and a renewable fusible member which opens when the current is so great as to produce sufficient heat to melt it; not designed to interrupt short-circuit currents.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.