Fuses are safety devices used in an electric plug or circuit, made of a wire component inserted in a non-combustible housing. The main function of a power fuse is to prevent the damages induced by an overflow of electrical current. The power fuse does this by overheating and melting the wire inserted in the housing whenever there is a fault, consequently interrupting the electrical flow.
What Are Fuses Used For?
An everyday example of fuse applications is represented by hairdryers. When the power flowing in the appliance exceeds the value that should be transferred through it, the fuse within the system makes the circuit break, thus eliminating the risk of shortcuts and electrocution. Fuses are also essential to every household's electrical system, in the form of control board panels (also called fuse boxes or consumer units) which shut the electrical system down in case an over-current that might cause damage is detected.
What is the Difference Between a Fuse and a Circuit Breaker?
Fuses and circuit breakers cover the same safety function in an electrical circuit when there is a risk of over-current. They both interrupt the electrical flow when a fault is detected, but while fuses only work once and must be replaced once it blows, circuit breakers can be reset without the need for their substitution.
Different Types of Fuses
Although the most commonly known type of fuse is probably the cartridge fuse, there are several other kinds of fuses available on the market for different applications, including:
Cartridge Fuses
Cartridge fuses can come in the form of glass fuses, as well as ceramic or porcelain. They are relatively easy to change and come in different standard ratings you can choose from. To select the right rating, the rule of thumb is to select a rating that is slightly higher than the one needed by the device to function. This will allow for the fuse to prevent damage when the voltage gets too high, without the need for switching off the electrical power in conditions of slight, harmless, power enhancement.
Fuses are also available in kits to cover various uses beyond industrial appliances, such as the fuse kits available from the RS PRO range.
RS is your trusted electronic fuse supplier. Buy from our range of high-quality fuses that will meet your delivery time and budget.
