Introduction to Fuses

Fuses are essential components in electrical circuits that protect

against overcurrent and short circuits. Learn about their types,
components, and how they work.

Team Members
Adit Lakhmale
Anushka Rotte
Paras Pingle
Sharvni Patil
What are Fuses?
1 Overcurrent 2 Basic Operation 3 Simple Design
Protection
A fuse consists of a Most fuses have a
Fuses are safety conductive element cylindrical shape with
devices that prevent that melts when the two terminals and a
excessive current flow current exceeds the fusible link made of a
by breaking the rated value, metal alloy.
circuit when a fault interrupting the
occurs. circuit.
Types of Fuses

Blade Fuse Cartridge Fuse Resettable Fuse

Commonly used in Used in industrial and Also known as PTC (Positive

automotive applications residential applications, Temperature Coefficient)
and available in different these fuses have a tubular fuses, they automatically
current ratings and sizes. body and interchangeable reset after a fault clears.
elements.
DC Fuse AC Fuse Rewirable Fuse

A DC (Direct Current) fuse An AC (Alternating A rewirable fuse, also

is a protective device used Current) fuse is an known as a replaceable or
in electrical circuits to essential electrical safety cartridge fuse, is a type of
prevent overcurrent device designed to electrical protection device
situations. It acts as a safeguard circuits by that can be manually
safety barrier, breaking the breaking the connection rewired or replaced when it
circuit when the current when excessive current blows due to overcurrent
exceeds a specified level, flows through them. This conditions. It consists of a
thereby safeguarding protective function fuse element or wire
equipment and preventing prevents equipment enclosed in a non-
potential electrical damage and mitigates the conductive housing. When
hazards. DC fuses are risk of electrical hazards. excessive current flows
commonly used in various AC fuses are ubiquitous in through the circuit, the
applications, including residential, commercial, fuse element melts or
solar power systems, and industrial applications, breaks, interrupting the
automotive electronics, ensuring the reliability and electrical connection and
and industrial machinery. safety of electrical preventing damage to
systems. Whether in equipment or wiring.
household appliances, Rewirable fuses are
office electronics, or commonly used in older
manufacturing equipment, electrical systems and
AC fuses play a critical role specific industrial
in maintaining the applications, offering a
D- type Cartridge Fuse Link Type Fuse Blade And Bolted Type
Fuse
A D-type cartridge fuse is a A link-type fuse is a type of
type of high-voltage electrical fuse designed for A small, plug-in electrical
electrical protection device use in low to medium- fuse commonly used in
characterized by its voltage circuits. It consists vehicles and electronics. It
cylindrical, double-ended of a cylindrical body with has a flat metal strip that
design with a central removable fuse links or melts to interrupt the
contact. These fuses are cartridges that serve as the circuit during overcurrent
primarily used in industrial fuse elements. When the situations, protecting
and utility applications to current exceeds safe levels, connected devices.
A heavy-duty, high-voltage
safeguard against the fuse link within the fuse
fuse designed for industrial
overcurrents in high- body melts or breaks,
machinery and power
voltage circuits. When interrupting the circuit and
distribution. It features
excessive current flows protecting connected
threaded connections and
through the circuit, the equipment from damage.
melts or vaporizes its
fuse element inside the Link-type fuses are
internal element to break
cartridge melts or breaks, commonly used in various
the circuit during excessive
effectively disconnecting applications, including
current, safeguarding large
the circuit and preventing industrial machinery,
electrical systems.
damage to equipment or power distribution
components. D-type systems, and electrical
cartridge fuses are known panels. Their modular
for their robust design allows for easy
construction and high replacement of blown fuse
Striker Type Fuse Switch Type Fuse High Voltage Fuses

A striker-type fuse is an A switch-type fuse A high-voltage fuse is an

electrical protection device combines a switch and a electrical protection device
that relies on a mechanical fuse in a single unit. It for high-voltage systems,
striker mechanism to allows manual circuit designed to interrupt
disconnect the circuit when control like a switch and excessive current flow and
overcurrent conditions provides overcurrent prevent damage to
occur. When excessive protection like a fuse. equipment. It ensures
current flows through the Commonly used in safety and reliability in
fuse, it triggers a industrial settings for industrial and power
mechanical striker to space-saving and efficient distribution applications.
physically break the circuit, circuit management.
providing protection to
connected equipment and
preventing electrical
hazards. This type of fuse is
commonly used in certain
specialized applications
where precise and rapid
disconnection is required,
such as in explosives
handling or sensitive
Cartridge Type HRC Fuse Liquid Type HRC Fuse Expulsion Type HV Fuse

A liquid-type HRC (High An expulsion-type fuse is a

A cartridge-type HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) fuse high-voltage protection
Rupturing Capacity) fuse is uses a special liquid inside device that uses gas
an advanced electrical its housing to safely pressure to extinguish
protection device with a interrupt high fault currents electrical arcs during
cylindrical cartridge in electrical circuits, overcurrent events. It's
housing, designed to safely particularly in high-power crucial in power
interrupt high fault currents applications like distribution systems for
in industrial and high- transformers and industrial rapid safety.
power applications, machinery.
protecting equipment and
ensuring safety.
Fuse Components
Fusible Element Terminal Caps

A conductor that melts when exposed to Protective covers that provide electrical
excessive current, interrupting the connection and secure the fuse into its
circuit. holder.

Body Label

The outer structure of the fuse that Indicates the fuse's rated current,
encloses the element and protects voltage, and other specifications.
against external factors.
How Fuses Work
When the current exceeds the fuse's rating, the fusible element heats up and melts, creating
an open circuit and preventing damage to the circuit and connected devices.

Current Flow Overcurrent Condition Circuit Interruption

The current flows from the If the current exceeds the The open circuit protects
power source through the fuse's rating, the fusible devices by preventing
fuse and the load in a element melts and opens excessive current and
complete circuit. the circuit. potential damage.
Applications of Fuses
Automotive 🔧 Home Appliances 🏠

Fuses protect various electrical Fuses are used in home appliances such
components in a vehicle like the audio as refrigerators, air conditioners,
system, headlights, and others from washing machines, and others to protect
overloading or short-circuiting. them from electrical damage.

Medical Equipment 🏥 Power Generation 🌬

Fuses are essential in medical equipment Fuses protect immense power

for protecting patients from possible generators from power surges that can
electrical shocks. be caused by sudden changes in
electrical loads.
Fuse Ratings
Current Rating The maximum current that the fuse
element can withstand before melting.

Voltage Rating The maximum voltage at which a fuse can

safely operate.

Interrupting Rating The maximum amount of current that the

fuse can safely interrupt.
Proper Installation
1 Correct Sizing 2 Secure Connection

Select a fuse with the Ensure the fuse is

appropriate current properly inserted and
rating to match the tightly connected in the
load's requirements. fuse holder or panel.

3 Proper Orientation

Install the fuse in the correct orientation, aligning the

terminals with the corresponding connections.
Common Fuse Problems and Solutions

1 Fuse blows regularly 💥

This could be due to an overload in

the circuit or the wrong type of
Fuse overheats 🔥 2 fuse. Check and replace the fuse if
This could be due to poor needed.
installation or a lack of ventilation.
Properly install the fuse and make 3 Fuse doesn't break
sure there is proper airflow.
This could be due to the wrong
type of fuse or the fuse element
being too thick. Check and replace
the fuse if needed.
Fuse Safety Tips, Standards, and
Regulations
Safety Tips 🚨 Standards and Regulations 📜
Always handle fuses properly, avoid Follow the safety standards and regulations
touching them when they're hot and switch in your area when dealing with electrical
off the power supply when changing or systems and components, including fuses.
testing fuses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fuses have revolutionized the field of electronics
and electrical protection. By properly selecting, installing, testing,
and maintaining them, we can enjoy the safe and efficient
operation of our electrical systems. Keep these important
components in mind for all of your electrical needs.