What do you know about fuse?
About fuse:
The least expensive method of protecting against too much current is a fuse. It was made by Edision in 1890. Numerous advancements have been made since the original simplistic model was created.
Now-a-days, There are various types of fuses that are widely used in low- to medium-voltage applications. Where frequent operations are not necessary and/or the usage of a circuit breaker is not cost-effective, we can employ fuses.
The tiny fuse wire is typically enclosed in a safety sheath to reduce the risk of an arc burst if it burns out suddenly, as can happen in the event of a significant over-current. Small fuses have translucent sheaths that allow for visual inspection of the fusible element.
What is fuse?
"A
fuse is a little piece of metal that is put into a circuit and melts
when too much current passes through it, breaking the circuit."
"A fuse is a type of electrical safety device constructed from conductive strips that is intended to melt and cut off the circuit in the case of an excessive current."
Working Principle of fuse.
The fuses are connected in series with the load that has to be protected in the circuit. This means that if the fuse blows, the circuit will be opened and the components won't receive any current. When the fuse is acting normally, the element doesn't overheat and maintains a temperature below its melting point.
The current flowing through the fuse exceeds its rated value whenever a short-circuit or overload happens. The load (machine or equipment) is isolated as a result of the high current raising the temperature to the point where the fuse element melts and blows out. A fuse prevents damage from being done to the machinery and equipment as a result of an excessive current.
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| Fig: Blade type fuse(Ref.- fuse-box.info) |
What happens if the wrong fuse is installed?
If we think from an electrical point of view there are only two options in selecting the wrong fuse either over rated fuse or under rated fuse.
👉 Over rated fuse: The worst case scenario is to damage the equipment caused by a over current or overload.
👉 Under rated fuse: Other possibilities include the fuse blowing even though there is no electrical fault.
Suppose, you have a blender machine, inside it there is a fuse with current carrying capacity 6A as a protecting device. Whenever, it is required to replace this fuse if you place a fuse with current capacity more than 6A then it called over rated fuse and if it is less than 6A then it will be under rated fuse. Both is harmful for your blender machine.
👉 It is always best practice to replace a blown fuse with the same rated fuse.
In a house, what does a blown fuse look like?
It's very important to understand the appearance of a blown fuse before attempting to identify the source of the issue. Charring on the fuse itself is the most obvious indicator of a blown fuse, but there are other signs as well, such the chance of partial or total house power outages. This is how a circuit breaker operates—it isolates the fault and ensures it from damaging other circuits.
1. Overloaded Circuit
In our experience as expert electricians, the most frequent reason for a blown fuse is when anything consumes excessive power from the circuit. The most common causes of this include using too many plug-in appliances at once or utilizing too many lights. The most common cause of this kind of problem is an adaptor with several outlets inserted into a socket.
3. Arc Issues
An arc fault may result from loose screws, corroded wiring, or issues with the actual circuit connections. These defects are the most typical reason for electrical fires in homes, making them potentially dangerous.
Study more: Bad Circuit breaker: what you must know about it.
5. Damaged Electrical Outlets
Older electrical outlets are more likely to have damaged wiring or loose connections. If the plugs receive improper current, appliance fuses may blow.
7. Wrong Type of Fuse
Although all fuses appear to be the same, there are many distinct types and sizes available. Having the improper fuse can be dangerous and cause serious damage in your home. If you suspect there may be an erroneously sized fuse, keep away from the fuse box and consult a professional.
If your home is damp or has suffered storm damage, moisture may have found its way into the wiring. This can lead to wire degradation, short circuits, and a variety of other difficulties.
What is the Difference between Fuse and Circuit breaker?
Fuses and circuit breakers have very similar functions: they both interrupt electrical circuits in the case of a current overload or short circuit. However, there is one important difference. Circuit breakers are switches, and much like any other switch, they can be reset after being flipped.
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| Fuse Vs Circuit breaker |
