Q1) What is fuses and its type

A fuse is an electrical safety device that provides overcurrent protection to an electrical circuit. Its
essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows through it,
thereby interrupting the circuit. The main purpose of a fuse is to protect wiring and electrical
equipment from damage caused by excessive current flow, which could lead to overheating and
potential fires.

Types of fuses
1. Rewireable fuse :

Fuse is the simplest and cheapest protective device. It is a self sacrificial device
used in interrupting the circuit during over- current or short circuit conditions. Fuses
are always connected before the load in series to the supply.

Rewirable fuse is also known as kitkat fuse. It is a simple reusable fuse used in the
houses, offices and in the protection of outdoor distribution transformers. It is a fully
enclosed type fuse and is available in a wide range of ratings. The fuse when blown
out can be reused after replacing the fuse element and the circuit can be restored
quickly and easily. Renewable fuses are simple in construction and operation but
less reliable than HRC fuses.

Construction

Renewable fuse consists of a base and a separate fuse element carrier made of
porcelain. The base consists of two terminals one for incoming supply and the other
for the outgoing supply. Similarly fuse carrier also contains two terminals between
which fuse element is connected. Usually one or more strands of fuse wires are used
as fuse element. The fuse base and the carrier are designed such that each
terminals of base coincides with a terminal of the fuse element. The circuit will be
closes only if the fuse carrier is inserted into the base and the fuse element is
continuous.

Working

The working principle of rewirable fuses is very simple. Whenever the current
exceeds the predefined value, the flow of current heats the coil and melts it and the
fuse is blown out. Thus the circuit is interrupted.

Rewiring

Once the fuse is blown out, it can be reused by replacing the fuse element with a
new one. Fuse carrier is pulled out, blown out fuse element is replaced by a new one
and the supply is restored by replacing the fuse carrier in the base. The specialty of
renewable fuses is that the fuse carrier can be taken out or reinserted back into the
base without risk, even without opening the main switch.

Ratings : 2,5,10…..100,200A

EXAMPLE :

Calculation for Determining the Current Drawn by a 1-HP Motor Operating

at 220V

Power and Current Calculation

Horsepower to Watts:

Power (W) = 1 HP × 746 W/HP = 746 W

Current Calculation:

Current (I) = Power (P) / Voltage (V) = 746 W / 220 V ≈ 3.4 A

This shows that the motor would draw approximately 3.4A at full load.

Fuse Rating

However, when selecting a fuse for a motor, there are additional considerations:
 Starting Current: Motors typically have a higher starting current (inrush current),
which can be several times higher than the running current. The fuse must be able to
handle this initial surge without blowing.

Safety Margin: A fuse should have a safety margin above the full-load current to
avoid nuisance tripping. Typically, a fuse is rated at 125-150% of the full-load current
for motors.

Correct Fuse Rating Calculation

Given the above considerations, the fuse rating should be higher than the full-load current to
accommodate the starting current and provide a safety margin.

 Full Load Current: 3.4A

 Safety Margin (e.g., 150%):

Fuse Rating = 3.4 A × 1.5 ≈ 5.1 A

Therefore, a 5A fuse might be too close to the actual running current and might not
accommodate the inrush current and other factors.

Recommended Fuse Rating

For motors, it is common to use a fuse rated at approximately 150% of the full-load current.
So for your 1-HP motor:

Recommended Fuse Rating = 3.4 A × 1.5 ≈ 5.1 A

In practice, you might round this up to the next standard fuse rating, which could be a 6A
fuse.

Conclusion

While a 5A fuse could theoretically suffice for a 1-HP motor drawing 3.4A at full load, it
might not account for the inrush current and other factors. A 6A fuse would be more
appropriate to ensure reliable operation without frequent fuse blowing. Therefore, your initial
thought process is correct, but practical considerations suggest a slightly higher fuse rating.

2. Cartridge Fuses :

Cartridge fuses are not a new idea. Thomas Edison patented his fuse
block in 1890. A cartridge fuse is a cylinder shaped fuse with either
metal caps (ferrules) or blade contact points, at both ends. The
contact points are connected by a fuse link, a length of material
meant to melt, or sacrifice itself, in the event of an over-current
event. The melting of the fuse link severs the circuit and protects
the rest of the circuit from additional damage caused by the over-
 current. Most cartridge fuses are rated for 250 Volt to 600 Volt
circuits, dependent on the class of the fuse, and rated for varying
amperages as high as 600 amps, again dependent on the specific
fuse. Exceptions do apply. Additionally, cartridge fuses may be
designed to be either fast acting, or time delay, again dependent on
the fuse class and series. Three of today’s largest manufacturers of
cartridge fuses are, Bussmann by Eaton, Littelfuse, and Mersen. FIC
Corporation is proud to be an authorized distributor for these
outstanding leaders in circuit protection device production.

1. **Fuse Element:**
- The fuse element is a thin wire or strip of metal, typically made from materials like zinc, copper,
silver, or alloys, chosen for their melting points and conductivity. The element is designed to melt
quickly when the current exceeds the fuse's rating.
2. **Fuse Body:**
- The body is typically made from ceramic, glass, or fiberglass. These materials provide insulation
and are designed to contain any arc that may form when the fuse blows.

3. **End Caps:**
- Metal end caps are attached to each end of the fuse body. These caps are usually made of brass or
copper and are plated with a conductive material, such as tin or nickel, to prevent oxidation and
ensure good electrical contact.

4. **Filler Material:**
- High-performance cartridge fuses may contain filler material, such as quartz sand, which helps to
absorb and dissipate the heat generated when the fuse blows. This material also helps to quench any
arc that may form.

#### Working Principle

When current flows through the fuse, the fuse element heats up due to electrical resistance. If the
current remains within the fuse's rated capacity, the fuse element remains intact, allowing current to
pass through uninterrupted. However, if the current exceeds the rated capacity, the fuse element heats
up rapidly and melts. This break in the fuse element interrupts the flow of current, thereby protecting
the electrical circuit from overcurrent conditions that could cause damage or fire.
- **Small Cartridge Fuses:** Often used in electronic devices and small appliances, with ratings
typically from 0.1A to 30A.

Ratings :
2,5…..600A
250V – 600v

Types of Cartridge Fuses

There are several types of cartridge fuses available, each designed to cater to different
applications and requirements. Some of the most common types include:

 Fast-acting fuses: These fuses are designed to quickly respond to

overcurrent situations, offering immediate protection for sensitive
electronic devices. Fast-acting fuses have a low melting point, which
causes the filament to break rapidly when the current exceeds the fuse’s
rated value.
 Slow-blow fuses: Also known as time-delay fuses, slow-blow fuses are
designed to withstand short bursts of overcurrent without breaking. This
makes them suitable for applications where temporary overcurrents are
common, such as in motors or transformers. The filament in slow-blow
fuses has a higher melting point, allowing it to handle brief overloads
without interrupting the circuit.
 High rupture capacity (HRC) fuses: HRC fuses are designed to handle
high-voltage and high-current applications, offering superior protection
for electrical equipment. They feature a special construction that allows
them to safely interrupt high levels of fault current without producing
harmful arc flash or other dangerous effects. Rating is 2 – 1250 ampears
 The majority of HRC fuses are built for use in industrial
applications where cables and machinery require protection at
higher voltages and amperages. HRC fuses are generally not
required to protect low voltage / low ampere requirements of
consumer electronics or automotive applications. Therefore the
majority of HRC fuses are often rated at 415V or higher.
Major difference in mcb and fuses:
Fuse specially used for s.c and it is work inverse time current characteristics

Mcb specially used for overload and overload bimetallic strip bend down and under s.c condition
macnetic coil form and open the circuit

Means mcb work overload based on inverse time relation not s.c
https://youtu.be/qFWBXV_xyW4?si=2IcVocQbcqOw5gxk

 Coverload me 2 – 5 time jyada current flow hota hai

 Short circuit me 10 – 100 time jyada current flow hota hai