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the
circuit
conductors
from
of
cable
size
therefore
Fuses
Fuses
There are many different types and sizes of
fuse, all designed to perform a certain
:function There are three types of fuses
The rewirable or semi-enclosed fuse. 1
The cartridge fuse and fuse link. 2
.The high-rupturing-capacity (HRC) fuse. 3
rewirable fuse
A rewirable fuse consists of a fuse, a holder, a
fuse element and a fuse carrier, the holder
and carrier being made of porcelain or
Bakelite
disadvantages
1. The fact that it is repairable enables the
wrong size of fuse wire (element) to be used.
2. The elements become weak after long
usage
and
may
break
under
normal
conditions.
3. Normal starting-current surges (e.g. when
motors, etc. are switched on) are seen by
the fuse as an overload and will therefore break
the circuit.
cartridge fuse
A cartridge fuse consists of a porcelain tube
with metal and caps to which the element is
attached. The tube is filled with silica These
fuses are found generally in modern plug
tops used with 13 A socket outlets. They have
some advantages over the rewirable fuse
they: do not deteriorate; maintain accuracy
in breaking at rated values; and do not arc
when interrupting faults . Cartridge fuses
are, however, expensive to replace.
HRC fuse
The HRC fuse is a sophisticated variation of
the cartridge fuse and is normally found
protecting
motor
circuits
and
industrial
fusing factor
In order to classify these devices, it is
important to have some
means of knowing their fusing
performance. This is achieved
for fuses by the use of a fusing factor:
where the fusing current is the minimum
current causing the fuse to blow, and the
current rating is the maximum current,
which the fuse can sustain without blowing.
fusing factor
For example, a 5 A fuse, which blows only
when 9 A flows, will have a fusing factor of
9/5 = 1.8.
Rewirable fuses have a fusing factor of
about 1.8.
Cartridge fuses have a fusing factor of
between 1.25 and 1.75.
HRC fuses have a fusing factor of up to 1.25
(maximum).
discrimination
Where more than one fuse protects a circuit
it is clearly sensible that the correct fuse
should blow under fault conditions. A fault on
the appliance should cause fuse C to blow. If
fuse B blew, although it would break the
circuit to the
faulty
appliance,
it
would
unnecessarily
would
be
pointlessly
discrimination
Fuse replacement
A
lower
amp
fuse
emergency.......but
can
never
be
a
used
in
higher
an
amp
Always best to