Fuses

Fuses

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Fuses are an important part of our Control Panels. Here is a little history on who invented the fuse, how a fuse is made and some special features.

History 

Fuse- Louis Frances Cle^ ment   Breguet recommended the use of reduced -section conductors to protect telegraph stations from lightning strikes by melting the smaller wires that would protect an apparatus and wiring inside the building. A variety of wire or foil fusible elements were in use to protect telegraph cables and lightning installations as early as 1864.

A fuse was patented by Thomas Edison in 1890 as part of his electric distribution system.

How a Fuse is Made

A fuse consists of a metal strip or wire fuse element, of small cross-section compared to the circuit, conductors, mounted between a pair of electrical terminals, and usually enclosed by a non-combustible housing. The fuse is arranged in series to carry all the current passing through the protected circuit. The resistance of the element generates heat due to the current flow. The size and construction of the element is determined so that the heat produced for a normal current does not cause the element to attain a high temperature If too high a current flow, the element rises to a higher temperature and either directly melts or else melts a soldered joint within the fuse, opening the circuit.

The fuse element is made of Zinc, Copper, Silver, Aluminum, or Alloys to provide stable and predictable characteristics. The fuse ideally would carry its rated current indefinitely and melt quickly on a small excess. The element munt not be damaged by minor harmless surges of current and must not oxidizes or change its behavior after possibly years of service.

Fuses come in various sizes and styles to serve in many applications. Fuse Bodies are made of Ceramic, Glass, Plastic, Fiberglass, Molded Mica, Laminates or Molded Compressed Fiber depending on application voltage class.

Markings on a Fuse

Most fuse Markings are marked on the body or end caps with markings that indicate their ratings. Similar appearing fuses may have significantly different properties, identified by their markings. Fuse markings will generally convey the following information, either as a text, or else implicit with the approval agency marking for a particular type.

  • Current Rating
  • Voltage Rating
  • Time-Current IE Fuse Speed
  • Approvals- By national and International Standards
  • Manufacturer/Part Numbers/Series
  • Interrupting Rating (Breaking Capacity)

Special Features

Glass cartridge and plug fuses allow direct inspection of the fusible element. Other fuses have other indication methods including:

  • Indicating pin or striker pin-extends out of the fuse cap when the element is blown
  • Indicating disc- a colored disc falls out when the element is blown
  • Element window- a small window built into the fuse body to provide visual indication of a blown element.
  • External trip indicator-similar function to striker pin, but can be externally attached to a compatible fuse.

There are some fuses for medium-voltage applications that use two or three separate barrels and two or three fuse elements in parallel.

Some of the fuses we use in our Control Panels are as follows:

  • Cartridge Type- “Slo-Blo”-In accordance with UL Standard 248-14. Available in cartridge and axial lead format and with various forming dimensions.
  • 250V- Glass tube with silver-plated and nickel plated endcaps. Designed to IEC 60127-2
  • 600V- Designed to protect control transformers, solenoids and similar inductive components with high magnetizing currents during the first half -cycle. They provide excellent protection of motor branch circuits containing IEC or NEMA rated motor controllers or contactors. Class CC fuses.
  • Time Delay -A time-delay fuseis also sometimes known as a slow blow fuse. The purpose of this type of fuse is to allow a surge in electricity for a short time before the fuse actually blows. These time-delay fuses are designed for specific applications and it's not normally possible to fit a different fuse inside the receptacle.
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