Fuses, Its Types and Functions

Fuses and other over current devices are a necessary part of a power supply system to avoid fire or damage to the system. When too much current passes through a wire, it may swelter and could be spoiled or even explode into fire. Wiring rules give the highest rating of a fuse for safety of a meticulous circuit. Local authorities of any state will integrate national wiring regulations as an important part of the law. Fuses are chosen to permit passage of normal currents, but to quickly break off a short circuit or overload condition. There are two main types of fuses: fast acting and slow blow. The fuses belongs to fast acting type will open very quickly when their exacting current rating is go above the normal. This is significant for analog meter movements, which can rapidly be damaged when too much current passes through them, for even a very small amount of time. Slow blow fuse normally have a coiled structure inside. They are intended to open only on a persistent overload, such as a short circuit. The main reason of coiled construction is to prevent the fuse from blowing on just a passing current surge. Do not use a slow blow fuse in place of a fast acting fuse. It may not open fast enough to avoid components from harm under a high current condition. It’s not dangerous to replace a slow blow fuse with a fast-acting fuse, but it will almost certainly open up unnecessarily every now and then when the equipment is first switch on. A blown fuse can inform you something about your service difficulty. Often the glass case of the fuse appears clear, and you can still see the broken pieces of the fuse element. This means you have the sort of problem that causes a slow, ongoing overload on the power supply. Some fuses even die of old age.

Automotive fuses save from harm the wiring and electrical equipment for the vehicles. Automotive fuses are normally manufactured for circuits no higher than 24 volts direct current. Plug-in fuses are also known as blade or spade fuses. Plug-in fuses are normally consisting of a plastic body and two points that easily fit into sockets. Plug-in fuses are used in automobiles. These types of automobile fuses come in three different physical sizes or dimensions: mini or minifuse, ATO (or ATC) and maxi or maxifuse. The physical dimensions of these types of fuses, including the connector, are different to each other. It is feasible to replace an ATO-type plug-in fuse with a circuit breaker that has been manufactured and designed to fit in the socket of an ATO-sized fuse holder. These circuit breakers are more expensive than a regular fuse. Bosch type fuses are normally used in older (often European) automobiles. The physical dimension of this type of fuse is 6x25 mm with conical ends. Bosch type fuses usually use the same color coding for the rated current.