2040.0815 Application Field and Working Principle

A fuse is an electrical component installed between two electric circuits for protection against power surges and short circuits. In general, when power passes through a circuit, the voltage will increase and decrease. When the voltage rises too high, the fuse will blow, cutting off the power to the specific circuit. In this way, the fuse keeps the electrical components in the circuit from being damaged by high voltage.

The application of a fuse can be subdivided into four areas: residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive. Fuses are used mainly in residential areas to protect families from fires and electric shock caused by electrical faults. For commercial and industrial areas, fuses are used for protecting systems, machines, and people from potentially dangerous situations. In automotive, fuses are placed in different parts for use and shutdown of specific sections. For instance, a fuse typically may be found in the starter circuit of a vehicle, to stop the current if a short circuit occurs.

The different characteristics of fuses are explained in terms of their maximum current, voltage, speed, current-limiting fuse type, and other features. Each type of fuse has its own working principle. A fuse is composed of a safety wire and a metal plate. When an electric current is applied, the metal plate inside the fuse will absorb the excess current, and the current-limiting metal wire in the fuse will heat up and eventually melt. At this point, the current will be cut off and the fuse will have done its job.

For arcing protection, fuses are designed with arc chutes. In the event of an electric short circuit, an arc is formed between the wire and the metal plate inside the fuse. The arc chute present in the fuse will contain the arc which may last from milliseconds to several seconds. This arc chute design improves the performance of the fuse and allows for better protection.

Fuses can be electronic or non-electronic. Electronic fuses are composed of semiconductor elements and are frequently used in motor protection and transformer protection. When an overcurrent occurs, the non-linear resistance of the semiconductor elements prevents the current from passing through, leading to the closure of the system. Non-electronic fuses are composed of powder or metal strips, which are mainly used in the residential area. This type of fuse quickly switches off the current when the voltage exceeds the rated value.

To sum up, the fuse is an electrical component widely used in our daily life for safety reasons. It can be used in residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive applications. Different types of fuses have different characteristics and working principles. Fuses are also divided into electronic and non-electronic types which work in different ways. By considering the application, function, and other characteristics, it is possible to select the appropriate fuse suitable for the system.