Where We Need an Electric Fuse?
An electrical setup mostly includes several appliances operating together over a single circuit.
In such cases, it may sometimes happen that the power cable for that circuit gets excessively heated up due to the heavy current flowing through it.
Such electrical overload may lead to a short circuit or even fire in some cases.
A fuse is an electrical safety device that has been designed to prevent such accidents to ensure the safety of the connected devices as well as the surrounding setup.
Let’s understand what is a fuse and how it is useful in keeping our electrical systems safe.
What is an Electrical Fuse?
An electrical fuse is a piece of wire or a strip that melts away when too much current flows through the circuit, thereby interrupting the power supply to avoid any disasters. These are generally made up of aluminum, copper, or zinc, with a very low melting point. It acts as a device for the automatic removal of power from a faulty electrical system(ADS — Automatic Disconnection of Supply).
Electrical Fuse manufacturers offer different types of fuses in the market with specific designs, capacity, voltage, and current ratings suitable for different setups.
What are the Advantages of a Fuse in an Electrical Setup?
Some of the benefits of employing a fuse are:
- A fuse is a vital component of any electrical setup since it prevents the connected appliances from any short circuits or damage caused by the heavy electrical load.
- It a cheap protection method that does not require any maintenance.
- It operates quickly and automatically.
What are the Various Types of Electric Fuses Available in the Market?
Depending upon the type of input supply voltage, fuses can be primarily classified as DC fuses and AC fuses.
- DC Fuse: When excess current flows in a DC circuit, the metallic wire in the fuse melts, thereby disconnecting the power supply to the circuit. Due to the constant value of DC (above 0 Volts), an electric arc may be produced sometimes and it is difficult to turn it off. To minimize this arc, the electrodes in a DC fuse are placed at larger distances from each other and hence DC fuses are larger as compared to an AC fuse.
- AC Fuse: The voltage in an AC fuse constantly changes(approx. 50–60 times in a second)oscillating between the maximum and the minimum value. When it reaches the minimum value (0), it is easy to turn off the arc between the melted electrodes. Hence, an AC fuse is much smaller than a DC fuse.
Let’s look at further classifications of an AC fuse:
AC Fuse Classification:
High Voltage Fuse — These are used in high voltage AC transmission lines. Following are the types of high voltage fuses:
- Cartridge Type HV HRC Fuse — It is of the helix shape with two parallel elements of low and high resistance. The low resistance wire carries the current that melts during the fault thereby lowering the short circuit current flow.
- Liquid Type HV HRC Fuse — These fuses are filled with a liquid called carbon tetrachloride and completely sealed. When the fuse blows out due to excessive current, this liquid helps in arc extinguishing.
- Expulsion Type HV Fuse — These are made up of synthetic resin bonded paper in the shape of a hollow tube. When the fuse elements inside the tube are blown, the gases produced help in extinguishing the arc.
Low Voltage Fuse — These are used in low voltage distribution lines. Following are the types of low voltage fuses:
- Rewireable Type: It consists of a fuse base and a fuse carrier. The base is made up of porcelain that clasps the wire. It is quite easy to insert and take off the fuse carrier from the base without touching the switch. It is commonly used in smaller circuits or household settings. You may contact a kit kat fuse manufacturer for obtaining a rewireable fuse.
- Cartridge Type: The fuse element is completely enclosed within a structure having metal contacts at both ends. In case of a fuse blowout, the arc stays within the enclosure only. It is further classified as :
- D-Type Cartridge: It is made up of a cartridge, fuse base, fuse cap, and an adapter ring. The circuit completes only when the cartridge tip is fixed to the base completely and it touches the conductor.
- Link Type Cartridge: It consists of two or more wires placed parallelly to enhance the capacity. If the fault exists for a longer time, the fuse blows out. It can deal with both low and high fault current. The fuse element needs replacement post every operation. In knife blade type link fuses, the fuse wire can be replaced with a live circuit, using a fuse puller. The bolted type link fuse needs an extra circuit for taking out the switch while avoiding any shock.
- Drop-Out: Mainly used in transformers, the fuse element drops out when it melts due to heavy electrical load. LT insulator manufacturers deal in such kinds of fuses.
- Striker Fuse: They have a spring-loaded striker that indicates a blown-out fuse. It also activates the other switchgear.
- Switch Fuses: It comes as a 3-pole or 4-pole unit with a handle that allows manual connection or disconnection of the high current fuses.
The Final Word:
The fuse you are using in your electrical setup must be of high-quality to meet the expected performance standards. Zirco-vit is a leading manufacturer of fuses, insulators, and connectors that is equipped with advanced machines and the latest technologies to deliver just the best to its customers. Connect with us Now!
