What type of fuses are there

The thickness and length of the resistive element determine the rated current. Fuse elements are made of zinc, copper, silver, aluminium or other alloys to provide predictable trip currents.

The element must not oxidize or corrode over time. Fuses can be divided into two major categories, AC fuses, and DC fuses. The below block diagram illustrates the different types of the fuse under each category. We will discuss each fuse in brief in our article. This is the most common type of fuse. The fuse element is encased in a glass envelope that is terminated by metal caps.

The fuse is placed in an appropriate holder. Since the glass envelope is clear, it is easy to visually determine if the fuse is blown. There are many variants of this design, including slow blow fuse and fast blow fuse.

Slow blow fuses have a larger element that can handle overcurrent for a relatively short period of time and are unaffected by spikes in the appliance. Fast blow fuses react instantly to current spikes. Some variants of this fuse are encased in ceramic to withstand high temperatures. Fuses for high voltage applications are filled with sand or oil. This is to prevent arcing between the two ends of the fuse after it has blown. These fuses are specifically designed for automotive systems that run up to 32V and occasionally 42V.

Some of these types are also used in other high-power circuits. Like their name suggests, these fuses are self-resetting. They contain carbon black particles embedded in organic polymers. Normally, the carbon black makes the mixture conductive.

When a large current flows, heat is generated which expands the organic polymer. The carbon black particles are forced apart, and conductivity decreases to the point where no current flows.

The main parts of the D-type fuse are the base, adapter ring, cartridge and a fuse cap. The cartridge is kept in the fuse cap, and the fuse cap is fixed to the fuse base. The cartridge tip touches the conductor when it is completely screwed to the base and thus completes the circuit through the fuse links. In such type of fuses, the fuse element carries the fault current for a long duration.

If the fault is not clear, then the fuse element will melt and open the circuit. The major advantage of HRC fuse is that it clears the low as well as a high fault current.

HRC fuse has the high-speed operation and also does not require maintenance. But the fuse element of the HRC fuses needs to be replaced after each operation, and it also produced the heat during the faults which will affect the operations of the nearby switches. The enclosure of the HRC fuse is filled with powdered pure quartz, which acts as an arc extinction medium.

The silver and copper wire is used for making the fuse wire. The fuse wire has two or more sections which are joint by using tin-joint.

The tin-joint reduces the temperature under overloaded condition. For increasing the breaking capacity of the fuses two or more silver wire is joined in parallel with each other. These wires are adjusted in such a way so that only one wire will melt at a time.

The HRC fuse is of two types. In knife blade type switches the fuse wire is replaced with a live circuit with the help of fuse puller. The bolted type HRC fuses have two conducting plates which are bolted to the fuse base.

This fuse requires the additional circuit for taking out the switch without getting a shock. The melting of fuse causes the fuse element to drop out under gravity about its lower support. Such type of fuse is used for the protection of outdoor transformers. Because Littelfuse respects your right to privacy, you can choose to modify the cookies option and disallow some of them.

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Hazardous Area Type Fuses. Information Center Technical Resources. Automotive Fuse Selection and Definitions Electronic Fuse Selection and Definitions Industrial Fuse Selection and Definitions Automotive Fuse Link Definition and Specifications Automotive use links are self-acting break appliances for the protection of electrical devices against unsuitable current loads.

The following international regulations and recommendations in their currently valid version are valid for fuse links: DIN DIN ISO UL SAE Further the level of technology, the details of the actually valid implementation provisions, the safety-principle "human beings, animals and material assets must be protected against danger," as well as the qualification of the installed components should be taken into account - self-responsibility of the manufacturer of electrical devices.

Selection Explanations and Recommendations The rated voltage U N of a fuse link has to be at least equal or higher than the operating voltage of the device or assembly unit which is to be protected with the fuse link. The personal responsibility of manufacturers of electrical devices is applicable here: "Any person involved in the production of electrical systems or the manufacturing of electrical equipment, included those dealing with the operation of such systems or equipment is, according to the present interpretation of the law individually responsible for every aspect of compliance to the recognized rules and procedures of electrical engineering.

The current rating of a fuse link I N Fuse is established by the max. The following applies: I N Fuse 3 Ioperating max. The necessary breaking capacity of the fuse link is determined by the max. In addition to the above-mentioned points, the method of installation is also important for correct fuse link selection taking into consideration possible approvals. Fuseholder features, if applicable and associated rerating clips, mounting block, panel mount, PC board mount, R.

Breaking Capacity: Also known as interrupting rating or short circuit rating, this is the maximum approved current which the fuse can safely break at rated voltage.

Current Rating: The nominal amperage value of the fuse. Dimensions: Unless otherwise specified, dimensions are in inches. Why Overcurrent Protection?