RS PRO 4A F Ceramic Cartridge Fuse, 5 x 20mm

RS PRO range of miniature ceramic cartridge fuses which are fast acting (F) and are ideal for providing protection to devices or internal circuits from short circuits and overcurrent. They are deliberately weaker components which, when too much current is drawn, will blow. Once the fuse has blown it will need replacing in order to make the circuit complete and allow the flow of current.
Fuses are less expensive and react faster than a circuit breaker. However circuit breakers can be reset after they trip but a fuse will have to be replaced once it blows.
RS PRO cartridge fuse packs are available in a range of current ratings with varying resistance values to suit all your requirements. This range is reliable for a broad range of applications.

Features:
Miniature ceramic cartridge
F Speed rated
5mm x 20mm cartridge size
Cylindrical shape

Typical applications:
Cartridge fuses are a relatively cheap way of protecting electrical equipment from short circuits and overcurrent and can be used to protect electrical appliances such as motors air-conditions, refrigerator, pumps etc. They can be found in the following areas:
Industrial
Commercial
Home/Residential
Automotive

Additional Information
What size is it?
5x20 mm is a standard cartridge size and it measures approximately 20 mm long. They are popular in board and panel protection and will fit a compatible 5x20 fuse holder.

What Speed is it?
These fuses are “F” speed rated, which is short for Fast Acting. This is also known as fast blow and is popular in general purpose applications. They are designed not to handle current spikes over the rated current.

What are fuses used for?
• For the protection of components and equipment from costly damage caused by over-current.
• To isolate sub-systems from the main system once a fault has appeared

What is an over-current?
It is a setting where a circuit experiences a current that is higher than the normal operating current.

What is Breaking Capacity?
Breaking capacity is the level of current that the fuse can safely handle without exploding or rupturing. The breaking capacity of your fuse should be greater than the fault current of your electronic circuit. This particular fuse is HBC (High Breaking Capacity).

Very high breaking capacity
Good mechanical/vibration characteristics
Ceramic cartridge bodies are sand filled

Typical Applications include short-circuit protection of semiconductors such as thyristors, diodes and triacs.
Note that with values of greater than 6.3A the use of open type fuseholders is recommended, to reduce the risk of nuisance tripping at or near full rated current.