FUSE

A fuse is one type of overcurrent protection device.

A fuse is a one-shot device.
The heat produced by overcurrent causes the current carrying element
to melt open, disconnecting the load from the source voltage.
Use a filament that melts when overloaded.
Must be thrown out and replaced completely when blown.
Cannot contain GFCIs like a circuit breaker.
Protect your home from overloaded circuits and fire

Pros:

More sensitive than circuit breakers, which can be useful for sensitive
devices
Cheapfuses are very inexpensive at any hardware store
Perfectly viable if theyre rated with the proper amperage

Cons:

Aforementioned sensitivity can cause frequently-blown fuses in some

situations
Its possible to use an oversized fuse; a 30 amp fuse can fit in a 20 amp
circuit, which is a dangerous fire hazard
More difficult to replace in the dark
Often more difficult for the average homeowner to maintain

TYPES OF FUSES

Plug Fuses
Plug-type fuses have a threaded
base that looks like the base of a
light bulb. Standard plug fuses are
interchangeable, so it is very
important that you match the
specifications of the existing fuse to
the replacement fuse. Inserting a
fuse with a higher rating than the
slot is designed to handle will
permit much higher and consequently more dangerous, current levels.

Tamper-Proof Fuses
Tamper-proof fuses provide
protection against operating your system
outside safe parameters by incorporating
special adapters into your fuse box. These
adaptors simply screw into fuse openings
and only accommodate one size, making it
impossible to insert a device that is not
rated appropriately.
Some plug fuses have a glass top
that allows you to see which wires
are still intact
Standard threaded bases on plug fuses are often referred to as
Edison bases
Standard plug fuses should be used for replacement only
Tamper-proof fuses are also called Type-S fuses
Tamper-proof fuses are the only type recommended by the NEC

Cartridge fuses
These fuses have a cylindrical body, typically
comprised of ceramic materials and ferrule contacts,
or metal end caps. These metal caps connect with a
wire inside the body of the cartridge and, when
snapped into place on your electrical panel, it
completes the connection, enabling the electrical
circuit to flow freely

Cartridge fuses are often constructed to withstand larger current

loads
The main fuse on your electrical panel is often a cartridge-type fuse
A special fuse-gripping tool helps you safely remove and replace
cartridge fuses
The element in a cartridge fuse is not usually visible and requires
testing to determine if it is still functional
Use a multimeter or continuity tester to determine if a fuse has been
blown

These fuses are often used for more

demanding applications, including running high-end household appliances
such as your water heater range or clothes dryer, all of which feature
electrical motors that require more power upon startup. Some cartridge fuses
are designed for medium-duty tasks such as lighting fixtures and other
devices without motors.

Time-Delay Fuses
Time-delay fuses provide overload and short circuit protection.
Time-delay fuses used in motor applications usually allow several
times the rated current for a short time to allow motors to start
without blowing the fuse. Fuses with a built-in time
delay are designed to handle these types of
situations without breaking. Fuses that
incorporate a dual element allow for even longer
time delays by absorbing extraneous heat and
taking pressure off the main wire.

Automotive Fuses

Automotive fuses help regulate the electrical system in your car, truck,
van or other vehicle. They are often referred to as blade fuses. These fuses
feature a transparent plastic covering that allows you to view the internal wire so
you can easily determine if a fuse has been blown.

RATINGS AND SELECTION

CIRCUIT BREAKER

Use either a bimetal strip or solenoid to trip a switch when current

reaches unsafe levels.
Are easily reset if tripped.
Can contain GFCI-style breakers for extra protection in certain
locations.
Protect your home from overloaded circuits and fire .

Pros:

Very easy to reset if tripped

Useable with a GFCI-style breaker
Does not need to be replaced like a fuse once tripped
Is often more compatible with modern electricity needs

Cons:

In some cases, not as sensitive as fuses; slower to react to surges

More sensitive to sudden movement and/or vibration than fuses

TYPES OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Low-voltage circuit breaker

Low-voltage (less than 1,000 VAC) types are common in domestic, commercial
and industrial application.

1. Actuator lever - used to manually trip and reset the circuit breaker. Also
indicates the status of the circuit breaker (On or Off/tripped). Most breakers
are designed so they can still trip even if the lever is held or locked in the
"on" position. This is sometimes referred to as "free trip" or "positive trip"
operation.
2. Actuator mechanism - forces the contacts together or apart.

3. Contacts - Allow current when

and break the current when
apart.

touching
moved

4. Terminal
5.

Bimetallic strip - separates

contacts in response to smaller,
longer-term overcurrents

6. Calibration screw - allows

the manufacturer to precisely
adjust the trip current of the device
after assembly
7. Solenoid - separates contacts
in response to high overcurrents

rapidly

8. Arc divider/extinguisher

Magnetic Circuit Breakers

Magnetic circuit breakers use
a solenoid (electromagnet) whose pulling force
increases with the current. Certain designs utilize
electromagnetic forces in addition to those of the
solenoid. The circuit breaker contacts are held
closed by a latch

Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breakers

Thermal magnetic circuit
breakers, which are the type found in
most distribution boards, incorporate
both techniques with the
electromagnet responding instantaneously to
large surges in current (short circuits)
and the bimetallic strip responding to
less extreme but longer-term overcurrent conditions. The thermal
portion of the circuit breaker provides
an
"inverse time" response feature,
which trips the circuit breaker sooner for larger over currents but allows
smaller overloads to persist for a longer time. On very large over-currents
during a short-circuit, the magnetic element trips the circuit breaker with no
intentional additional delay.

High-Voltage Circuit Breakers

Electrical power transmission networks

are protected and controlled by highvoltage breakers. The definition of high
voltage varies but in power
transmission work is usually thought to
be 72.5 kV or higher, according to a
recent definition by the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
High-voltage breakers are nearly
always solenoid-operated, with current
sensing protective relaysoperated
through current transformers.
In substations the protective relay scheme can be complex, protecting
equipment and buses from various types of overload or ground/earth fault.

CIRCUIT BREAKER VOLTAGE RATING

Circuit breakers are rated according to the maximum voltage they can
handle. The voltage rating is a function of the circuit breakers ability
to suppress the internal arc that occurs when the circuit breakers
contacts open.
The voltage rating of the circuit breaker must be at least equal to the
circuit voltage. The voltage rating of a circuit breaker can be higher
than the circuit voltage, but never lower.

CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTINUOUS CURRENT RATING

Every circuit breaker has a continuous current rating which is the

maximum continuous current a circuit breaker is designed to carry
without tripping. The current rating is sometimes referred to as the
ampere rating because the unit of measure is amperes, or, more
simply, amps.

CIRCUIT BREAKER FRAME SIZE

The circuit breaker frame includes all the various components that
make up a circuit breaker except for the trip unit. For any given frame,
circuit breakers with a range of current ratings can be manufactured by
installing a different trip unit for each rating. The breaker frame size is
the highest continuous current rating for a breaker with a given frame.

CIRCUIT BREAKER INTERRUPTING RATING

Circuit breakers are also rated according to the maximum level of

current they can interrupt. This is the interrupting rating or ampere
interrupting rating (AIR). Because UL and IEC testing specifications are
different, separate UL and IEC interrupting ratings are usually provided.

OTHER OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE

Fusible Disconnect Switch

A fusible disconnect switch is one type of
device used on panelboards to provide
overcurrent protection. Fuses located in the
switch are selected to handle the specified
levels of current and voltage and to provide the
appropriate interrupting rating.