Final answer:
A thermal switch fire protection system operates by activating and interrupting the circuit when a pre-set temperature is exceeded, preventing excessive currents that may lead to overheating and potential fire hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
A thermal switch fire protection system forms part of the electrical safety systems designed to prevent thermal hazards such as electrical overheating. These systems include a range of devices like circuit breakers and fuses which serve to interrupt excessive currents that can cause overheating and potentially fire hazards.
In the context of a fire protection system, a thermal switch will activate to break the circuit when a pre-set temperature is exceeded, thereby preventing further current flow that could lead to overheating and fire.
To additionally safeguard against shock hazards, modern systems typically incorporate a three-wire setup—live/hot, neutral, and earth/ground wires—with the neutral wire and the case of the appliance being grounded. This helps prevent any electrical current from accidentally passing through a person.
Other devices such as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) monitor for current loss to unintended paths and quickly interrupt the circuit, which is another measure to protect from shock hazards.
It is part of the broader electrical safety systems, which also include ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and three-wire setup to protect against both thermal and shock hazards.