Fuse

Fuses are current sensitive devices that are designed to be an intentional weak link in an electrical circuit. Fuses contain a wire element, filament or thin film that melts under pre-determined fault or overcurrent conditions. There are a wide variety of fuse types:

Electronic Fuses are typically rated at 300 volts or below and are designed to protect circuits in the limited space requirements of electronic equipment such as consumer electronics, computers, instrumentation, power supplies and telecommunication equipment.

Automotive Fuses are used extensively in cars, trucks buses and off-road transportation equipment to protect the cables, wires and electrical components that supply electrical power to operate lights, heaters, air conditioning, radios, power windows and other electrical accessories. They are also used in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Midget and Power Fuses are typically rated between 250 and 600 volts and are designed to provide circuit protection in various types of industrial equipment used in industrial and commercial buildings. Typical midget and power fuse applications include overload and short circuit protection in motor branch circuits, heating and cooling systems, control systems, lighting circuits and electrical distribution networks.

Semiconductor Fuses are very fast acting current limiting fuses that offer low melting integral (I2t) values and peak let-through currents. Voltage ratings range from 130 to 1,500 volts. These fuses are designed to protect diodes, thyristors, triacs, transistors and other solid-state power semiconductor devices.

Medium Voltage Fuses are current limiting, high speed fuses that provide circuit protection for transformers and electrical distribution systems in industrial plants, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, office buildings and underground residential service. Voltage ratings range from 601 to 34,500 volts.