Switchgear & Protection

Switchgear Equipment: Fuses

 Fuse

A fuse is a short piece of wire which melts when excessive current flows through it for enough time. It is
inserted in series with the circuit to be protected.

Under normal operating conditions, the fuse element is at a temperature below its melting point.
Therefore, it carries the normal load current without overheating.

However, when a short circuit or overload occurs, the current through the fuse element increases Rewirable Fuses
beyond its rated capacity. This raises the temperature and the fuse element melts (or blows out), and
disconnects the equipment from supply.

In this way, a fuse protects the equipment from damage due to excessive currents.

Low voltage fuses can be subdivided into two classes viz., (i) semi-enclosed rewireable fuse (ii) high rupturing capacity (H.R.C.)
cartridge fuse.
 High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) Fuse
In HRC fuse, initially the fuse wire carries the short circuit current safely for a given time period. During this period, if fault is removed, then
it does not blow off otherwise it will melt and separate the circuit from electrical supply.
HRC Fuse consists of highly heat resistant material (such as ceramic) body having metal-end caps, which is welded by current carrying
element such as silver. The fuse body internal space is completely packed with a filling powder such as plaster of silica, chalk, marble and
dust, etc. That’s why it carries overcurrent for a given period of time.

In short circuit and overload conditions, overcurrent current will flow through fuse element and it will melt and open the circuit. The heat
being produced vaporizes the silver melted element. Chemical reaction taking place between silver vapor and filling powder results in high
resistance substance, which helps in quenching the arc in fuse.
It can interrupt kA fault current and It can also be used for protection on low voltage distribution systems against overload and short circuit
conditions.

In normal condition, In short circuit and overload

current will flow through conditions,
fuse element to the circuit current will flow through
fuse element and it will melt
and open the circuit.
 Drop Out Fuse

A fuse cutout or cut-out fuse or drop out fuse is a combination of a fuse and a
switch, used in primary overhead feeder lines to protect distribution
transformers from overcurrent.
An overcurrent caused by a fault in the transformer or customer circuit will cause the
fuse to melt, disconnecting the transformer from the line.

The fuse holder, also called the fuse tube or door, an insulating tube which contains
the replaceable fuse element. When the contained fuse melts (blows), it opens the
circuit, and the fuse holder drops out of the upper contact and hangs from a hinge on
its lower end. This hanging fuse holder provides a visible indication that the fuse has
operated and assurance that the circuit is open.

The circuit can also be opened manually by pulling out the fuse holder using a hot
stick.

The fuse element, or fuse link is the replaceable portion that melts and breaks the
circuit when the electric current through it exceeds its rated current value.
The fuse elements used in most distribution cutouts are tin or silver alloy wires that
melt when subjected to high enough current. Ampere ratings of fuse elements vary
from 1 ampere to 200 amperes.
 Fuse wires

The materials used for fuse wires are mainly tin, lead, zinc, silver, antimony, copper, aluminum etc. Moderate/low melting point fuses
are generally used as it can get easily melted and opens the circuit.

Specific
Metal Melting point
Resistance
Aluminium 240oF 2.86 μ Ω – cm
Copper 2000oF 1.72 μ Ω – cm
Lead 624oF 21.0 μ Ω – cm
Silver 1830oF 1.64 μ Ω – cm
Tin 463oF 11.3 μ Ω – cm
Zinc 787oF 6.1 μ Ω – cm
 A fuse wire of circular cross-section has a radius of 0·8 mm. The wire blows off at a current of 8A. Calculate the radius of the wire
that will blow off at a current of 1A.

Breaking capacity or interrupting rating is the current that a fuse or circuit breaker, or other electrical apparatus is able to interrupt
without being destroyed or causing an electric arc with unacceptable duration.