A Quick Look at the Different Types of Electric Fuses Available in the Market

The electric fuse is one of the most important components of modern-day electrical circuits. A fuse is essentially a sacrificial device whose main job is to provide overcurrent protection to the circuit. The simplest electric fuse is nothing but a metal strip or wire that melts as soon as a current exceeding a specific limit passes through it. It thus interrupts the flow of the current and protects crucial electronic components from overloading and device failure.

Comparative Analysis of the Different Types of Electric Fuses

The electric fuse market is huge to say the least; as per the report published by Research Dive, the global electric fuse market is expected to grow at a tremendous CAGR of 7.7% in the 2022-2031 timeframe. This huge growth is expected to take place on account of the diverse application of fuses in the industrial sector. The entire electric fuse market, in order to meet the varied demands of the industrial sector, is brimming with different types of fuses. Some of these are discussed below:

1. DC Fuses

The main segmentation of electric fuses is done on the lines of the direct current and alternating current. Direct current fuses or DC fuses are those devices which have contact value above 0V. This characteristic of DC fuse ensures that the circuit isn’t easily turned off. Also, the size of DC electric fuse is much larger as compared to the AC fuse. The frequency of AC fuses can shift from 0-60 degrees which is why arc extinction can be easily done in these fuses. On the other hand, arc produced by direct current is extremely hard to extinct which is why the electrodes in the DC fuses are placed at a considerable distance, thus increasing their size. Owing to their simple internal structure and installation mechanism, DC fuses are most commonly used in various power systems, power devices, and household electric appliances to prevent their sudden damage due to short circuit currents.

2. AC Fuses

AC fuses are primarily of two types- low voltage fuses and high voltage fuses. Low voltage AC fuses are electric fuses having a voltage rating less than or equal to 1,500V. Rewireable fuses and cartridge type fuses are some important examples of low voltage AC fuses. A rewireable fuse is the most common type of electric fuse used for domestic purposes as the fuse carrier can be attached or detached to the base without affecting the main switch. Cartridge fuses are cylindrical-shaped fuses with metal ends at both sides and a fuse wire connecting the two ends.

High voltage AC fuses have a voltage rating above 1500V and up to 138000V. High voltage AC fuses are further subdivided into cartridge type HV HRC fuse, expulsion type HV fuse, liquid type HV HRC fuse. Cartridge type HV HRC fuse has two fused elements- a low resistance wire and a high resistance wire. This helps in avoiding corona effect as the low resistance wire helps in the conduction of normal current which reduces the effect of short circuit current on other electric components. Liquid type HV HRC fuses have a fluid, typically carbon tetrachloride, as arc extinguishing medium and are mainly employed for transformer protection. Expulsion type HV HRC fuse, on the other hand, have hollow open-ended tube in which the fuse elements are placed.

The Bottom Line

Electric fuses are nowadays exceedingly used in automotive applications also. The shift to electric mobility has further improved their prospects and has necessitated development of advanced fuses which are able to shoulder the responsibility of a much more complex circuitry. Furthermore, as different kinds of electrical appliances are coming up, the applications of electric fuses in electrical devices have also increased manifold. Along with this, an era of planned power generation which is expected to take place in the developed and developing economies in the next few years is projected to propel the demand for fuses in the coming period. All these factors point to a bright future for the electric fuse market.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.