Fuse
Working principle of a
fuse
Fuse Rating
D.O. fuse ans T.C.
fuse used in electric
lines and equipments
PROF. SHWETA GUPTA
Fuse
A fuse is an electric / electronic or
mechanical device, which is used to protect
circuits from over current, overload and
make sure the protection of the circuit.
Fuses are the protectors, these are the safety
devices which are used to protect the home
appliances like televisions, refrigerators,
computers with damage by high voltage.
Fuse circuit diagram
Fuse symbol
working principle of a fuse
The working principle of a fuse is based on the “Heating
effect of Current” i.e. Whenever a short circuit, over current
or mismatched load connection occurs, then the thin wire
inside the fuse melts because of the heat generated by the
heavy current flowing through it. Therefore, it disconnects the
power supply from the connected system. In normal operation
of the circuit, fuse wire is just a very low resistance
component and does not affect the normal operation of the
system connected to the power supply.
How to Select Proper Rating Size
of Fuse?
While selecting the proper fuse and its rated size for
electrical appliances is based on different factors and
environments. but the following basic formula shows that
Fuse Rating = ( Power / Voltage ) x 1.25
For example, you have to find a right size of fuse for
10A two pin socket.
(1000W / 230V ) x 1.25 = 5.4A
In the above example, 1kW is the power rating
which can be control through the 2 pin socket and the
main supply voltage is single phase 230V AC.
But you should go for the max i.e. 6A fuse rating
instead of 5.4A for safe and reliable operation of the
circuit.
Important Terms need for Fuse
Minimum Fusing Current : It is minimum
value of current due to which fuse melts.
Current Rating of Fuse : It is maximum
value of current due to which fuse does not
get melt.
Fusing Factor : This is the ratio of minimum
fusing current and current rating of fuse.
The value of fusing factor is always more
than 1.
The fuse element should have the following
desirable characteristics :
• low melting point e.g., tin, lead.
• high conductivity e.g., silver, copper.
•low cost e.g., lead, tin, copper.
Characteristics of a Fuse
Different types of fuses can be categories on the
following characteristics.
Current Rating & Current Carrying
Capacity of Fuse
Breaking Capacity of a Fuse
I2 Rt Value of Fuse
Rated voltage of Fuse
Fuse Current Carrying Capacity
Current carrying capacity is the amount of current which a fuse
can easily conduct without interrupting the circuit.
Breaking capacity:
The value of maximum current that can safely be interrupted by the
Fuse is called Breaking Capacity and should be higher than the
prospective short circuit current.
I2 Rt Value of Fuse
The I t terms related to fuse normally used in short circuit condition. it is
2
the amount of energy which carry the fuse element when the electrical
fault is cleared by fuse element.
Voltage Drop
When excessive current flows, the fuse element melts and opens the
circuit. Due to this resistance change and the voltage drop will become
lesser.
Temperature
In this, the operating temperature will be higher, therefore the current
rating will be lesser, so the fuse melts.
Advantages of an Electrical Fuse
It is the cheapest form of protection, and it does need any
maintenance.
Its operation is completely automatic and requires less time as
compared to circuit breakers.
The smaller sizes of fuse element impose a current limiting
effect under short-circuit conditions.
Its inverse time-current characteristic enables its use for
overload protection.
Disadvantages of an Electrical Fuse
Considerable time is required in replacing a fuse after the
operation.
The current-time characteristic of a fuse cannot always be
correlated with that of the protective device.
This graph shows the temperature versus the current carrying
capacity of the fuse.In this process, at the point where three lines
meet at 25 degrees Celsius, the current carrying capacity of the fuse
will be 100% and after some time the current capacity decreases at
slow blow fuse, it will also decrease up to 82% at 65 degrees C. This
results that, increase in temperature will decrease the current
carrying capacity of the fuse.
Classification of Fuses
Generally, there are two types of fuses:-
DC Fuses:
DC fuses have larger in size. DC supply has constant value above
0V so it is hard to neglect and turn off the circuit and there is a
chance of an electric arc between melted wires. To overcome this,
electrodes placed at larger distances and because of this the size of
DC fuses get increased.
AC Fuses:
AC fuses are smaller in size. They oscillated 50-60 times in every
second from minimum to maximum. So there is no chance of Arc
between the melted wires. Hence they can be packed in small size.
Cartridge Type Fuses:
It is the type of fuses in which they have totally closed
containers & has the contact i.e., metal besides.
Cartridge fuses are used to protect electrical appliances
such as motors air-conditions, refrigerator, pumps etc,
where high voltage rating and currents required. They
are available up to 600A and 600V AC and widely used
in industries, commercial as well as home distribution
panels.
Rewireable/ Kit-Kat Type:-
In this type of fuse, the main advantage is that the fuse
carrier is easier to remove without having any electrical
shock or injury. The fuse base acts as an incoming and
outgoing terminal which is made up of porcelain & fuse
carrier is used to hold the fuse element which is made up
of tin, copper, aluminum, lead, etc. This is used in
domestic wiring, small industries etc.
Drop Out Fuses:-
In this type of fuse, the melting of fuse causes the
element to drop under gravity about its lower support.
They are made for the protection of outdoor
transformers.
High Voltage Fuses (HV)
All types of high voltage fuses are used upon the rated
voltage up to 1.5 Kv to 138 Kv. High voltage fuses are
used to protect the instrument transformers & small
transformers. It is made up of silver, copper & tin. When
heat generated, the arc produces which causes the boric
acid to evolve high amount of gases. That’s why these
are used in outdoor places.
Cartridge Type HRC Fuse
It is similar to low voltage type, only some designing
features are different.
Cartridge Type HRC Fuse
Liquid Type HRC Fuses
These are used for circuit up to 100A rated current&
systems up to 132Kv. These fuses have the glass tube
filled with carbon tetrachloride. The one end of the tube
is packed and another is fixed by phosphorous bronze
wire. When fuse operation starts, the liquid uses in the
fuse extinguish the arc. This increase the short circuit
capacity.
Protection of distribution transformer
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Protection of distribution transformer
Drop Out Fuse– 11 KV SIDE
Kit-kat FUSE- LT
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Side
Wire Guage
Wire gauge is a measurement
of wire diameter. This determines
the amount of electric current a
wire can safely carry, as well as
its electrical resistance and weight.
Tinned copper (TC) fuse wire
Hot dipped Tin plating
boost copper’s properties , easy soldering
Long life - tinned copper wire reflects anti-
corrosion properties high moisture and humidity
tin resists corrosion and doesn’t oxidize
At higher temperatures, the corrosion resistance
of copper declines, making a tin coating
valuable for protecting the wire in this state.
tin copper wire has more electrical conductivity
as compared to non-tinned copper wire.
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Applications of Different Types of Fuses
Power Transformers
Electrical Appliances, like ACs (Air Conditioners), TV,
Washing Machines, Music Systems, and
many more.
Electrical Cabling in Home
Mobile Phones
Motor starters
Laptops
Power Chargers
Cameras, Scanners, Printers, and Photocopiers
Automobiles, electronic devices and Gaming’s
