Electrical Fuses : Their Types & Applications
The basic purpose of the fuse is to protect and is composed of an alloy which has a low melting point. A strip of this fuse is placed in series with the circuit. The working principle is that if the current is in excess then the strip would melt and break the circuit. There are different variants of fuse boxes available with different types of circuit breaking. For instance, in the case of slow blow fuses, a small overload is carried for some period without the circuit been broken.
Other fuse boxes are designed to break the circuit rapidly. The selection is based upon the kind of device and also the fluctuation level of the current.
Types
The main components of a standard fuse unit consist of the following items:
Metal fuse element
Set of contacts
Support body
The major two categories of fuses include:
Low Voltage Fuses
High Voltage Fuses
In order to understand Low voltage fuses better, we can further classify it further into:
Semi Enclosed or Rewireable Type
Totally enclosed or Cartridge Type
Rewireable Fuses
This kind of fuse is most commonly used in the case of domestic wiring and small scale usage. Another name for this type is the KIT-KAT type fuse. The main composition is of a porcelain base which holds the wires.
The fuse element is located inside a carrier that is also made out of porcelain. It is possible for you to remove the fuse carrier without any risk of electrical shock. Normally what happens is that when the fuse blows, you can replace it without having to change the complete thing.
The main metals or alloys used in making fuse wire include lead, tinned copper, aluminum or tin lead alloy.
Electrical Fuses Their Types and Applications 3
When there is an over surge that causes the fuse element to blow off, you can replace it. A new fuse carrier is inserted in the base.
The main advantage of this type of fuse is that it is easy to install and also replace without risking any electrical injury. But there are certain shortcomings associated with it too. For instance, with this fuse you would have an element of unreliability. There is a level of lack of discrimination and a small time lag, which may hinder its functionality.
With a slow speed of operation, you also get a low rupturing capacity.
Other types have current limiting features, and this one does not.
All this being said it is still a valuable fuse device for small scale usage.
How to check the fuses?
In order to check the fuse, a probe is used with readings from the terminals. The correct functioning would be when the value is 0V DC. The fuse should be checked with the voltage being supplied.
In cases, the value you are getting is higher than 0V DC, this means than there is a need to remove it.
Usage
The main usage of fuse is for the protection of the circuit. In a real term scenario, the current flowing through the wires may not be uniform at times. In such cases, your device could get overheated. There is also the chance of a fire if the fuse is not installed.
The basic purpose of the fuse is to protect and is composed of an alloy which has a low melting point. A strip of this fuse is placed in series with the circuit. The working principle is that if the current is in excess then the strip would melt and break the circuit. There are different variants of fuse boxes available with different types of circuit breaking. For instance, in the case of slow blow fuses, a small overload is carried for some period without the circuit been broken.Other fuse boxes are designed to break the circuit rapidly. The selection is based upon the kind of device and also the fluctuation level of the current.
Types
The main components of a standard fuse unit consist of the following items:
Metal fuse element
Set of contacts
Support body
The major two categories of fuses include:
Low Voltage Fuses
High Voltage Fuses
In order to understand Low voltage fuses better, we can further classify it further into:
Semi Enclosed or Rewireable Type
Totally enclosed or Cartridge Type
Rewireable Fuses
This kind of fuse is most commonly used in the case of domestic wiring and small scale usage. Another name for this type is the KIT-KAT type fuse. The main composition is of a porcelain base which holds the wires.
The fuse element is located inside a carrier that is also made out of porcelain. It is possible for you to remove the fuse carrier without any risk of electrical shock. Normally what happens is that when the fuse blows, you can replace it without having to change the complete thing.
The main metals or alloys used in making fuse wire include lead, tinned copper, aluminum or tin lead alloy.
Electrical Fuses Their Types and Applications 3
When there is an over surge that causes the fuse element to blow off, you can replace it. A new fuse carrier is inserted in the base.
The main advantage of this type of fuse is that it is easy to install and also replace without risking any electrical injury. But there are certain shortcomings associated with it too. For instance, with this fuse you would have an element of unreliability. There is a level of lack of discrimination and a small time lag, which may hinder its functionality.
With a slow speed of operation, you also get a low rupturing capacity.
Other types have current limiting features, and this one does not.
All this being said it is still a valuable fuse device for small scale usage.
How to check the fuses?
In order to check the fuse, a probe is used with readings from the terminals. The correct functioning would be when the value is 0V DC. The fuse should be checked with the voltage being supplied.
In cases, the value you are getting is higher than 0V DC, this means than there is a need to remove it.
Usage
The main usage of fuse is for the protection of the circuit. In a real term scenario, the current flowing through the wires may not be uniform at times. In such cases, your device could get overheated. There is also the chance of a fire if the fuse is not installed.
To learn this concept, we have a testing apparatus for fuses.
We are using a kit kat fuse here.The apparatus generates a current upto 20A controlled by the variac in series with the fuse.
The setup also trips the circuit,and automatically measures the time it takes to trip at a set current.
To learn more about working on the panel ,see the youtube video below
The setup also trips the circuit,and automatically measures the time it takes to trip at a set current.
To learn more about working on the panel ,see the youtube video below
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