Electrical Fuses


by Angela Oliver - Date: 2007-01-23 - Word Count: 366 Share This!

A fuse, actually short for fusible link, is an essential component of electronics. Fuses are necessary in circuits to protect from over current. Using the right fuse in power systems helps to protect from fire, short-circuit, or damage from overload. There are many types of fuses that come in a number of different sizes. Fuses can be found in homes and in automobiles.

Types of Fuses. Fuses are characterized by the time it takes to respond to an over current condition. Fast-blow (F) or Ultra-Fast fuses (FF) respond quickly and are used to protect devices that can handle only the smallest period of over current. Slow-Blow (T) fuses are used in devices that can tolerate a limited amount of over current, but open when the condition is sustained. Slow-blow fuses are generally used in households or automobiles.

Plug-in Type. Plug-in type fuses are used in automobiles and come in three different sizes, mini, ATC, and maxi. The fuse is covered in a plastic body and has two prongs sticking out that fit into sockets.

Bosch Type. Bosch type fuses are an older style of fuse that are used mainly in European automobiles. These types of fuses are rated by color, where yellow has a rating of 5 amperes, and blue has a rating of 25 amperes.

Power Circuit Fuses. Power circuit fuses are available in an extremely wide range of ratings. They are measure by three values including the normal rated current, the voltage of the circuit, and the maximum level of current for a short-circuit. These types of fuses are used in power distribution systems to protect transformers which provide electricity to several houses or buildings.

Semiconductor Fuses. Semiconductor fuses are the newest and fastest of all fuses. These types of fuses are used for short circuit and overload protection in a variety of semiconductor devices. Full range protection semiconductor fuses, denoted by gR-Type offer protection from overload and short circuit. Partial range protection fuses, or aR-Type offer only short-circuit protection, but are much faster than full range fuses.

Angela Oliver is an author for HRent.com. H and R Enterprises specializes in the wholesale distribution of electronic components, including various types of fuses and connectors.

Related Tags: circuit, semiconductor, electronic components, electrical fuse, overload, short-circuit

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