The modern world is incomplete without electrical installation, Systems, and devices. One of the main objectives is the safety of human beings and devices while working in the electrical system. Fuse is among one of the protective devices. That protects devices from over current and short circuit protection. In this article, We will discuss what is a fuse? Its working, and types. Let’s start with a definition.
What is Fuse?
We can define a fuse as an electrical safety equipment that protects electrical circuits from over current or during short circuits. Fuse is a simple but important protection component. No device is operational without a fuse.
Working Principle of Fuse.
A fuse consists of a metal filament. In normal conditions, a small or limited amount of current passes through the filament.
- When an overload or short circuit occurs, A large amount of current flows through the filament.
- Due to a large amount of flow of current filament heats up and melts.
- Due to melting of filament gape creates among the fuse elements and the flow of current stop.
The filament thickness & length determine the rated current of the fuse. Once the flow of current is stopped, the protected device stops operation. And protection occurred against over current. While talking about the material used in the filament. Normally it is made of copper, Zinc, Silver, aluminum, or any other alloy having a predictable trip current.
Different Types of Fuses
As discussed above, fuse is an important protective device. Two main types of systems are in use nowadays. i.e. AC and DC. Therefore, types of fuses are also of two types. i.e. AC Fuse and DC Fuses. As a quick tip Never use AC fuse in DC circuits! Do you know why? I wrote an article about this topic, you can check it. Never use AC fuse in DC circuits! Its dangerous.
Types of AC fuses
Ac fuses consist of Low and High voltage fuses. These are further divided in such a manner.
Low Voltage fuses
This type of fuses is used in low voltage distribution networks. The different types of low voltage fuses are. Switch Fuse, Cartridge fuse, rewirable fuse, Drop out, and sticker fuse.
High voltage fuses
This type of fuses is used in high voltage AC transmission lines. It consists of an Expulsion fuse and High Rapture current (HRC)FUSE.
DC Fuses
Dc fuses are manufactured for Direct current equipment. Different types of DC fuses are cartridge fuse, Automotive fuse, resettable, semiconductor, and over-voltage suppression fuses.
