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http://electrical- engineering- portal.com/fuse- in- low- voltage- systems December 12, 2012
T he Role of Fuses in Low Voltage Systems (on photo: ET I low voltage f use-links)
Introduction to Fuses
A fuse is the very important protective device used to automatically disconnect a live circuit when a predetermined value of current & or time of predetermined current is exceeded. To simplify, fuse is actually the wire designed to melt, and thereby open the circuit, if the current exceeds a predetermined value. The disconnection mean by fuse is based on the applicable protection philosophies. Fuses are available in AC and DC circuits from extra low voltages to high voltages. A circuit breaker also does similar type of function as a fuse. Unlike a circuit breaker, fuse is self-destructive which requires replacement after it disconnects a circuit. Some CBs also perform switching function with or without current flowing in the circuit. A hybrid device is a fused-disconnect switch which has a fuse associated with a load/no-load
disconnecting switch (may be group operated or single pole type). Some fuses provide additional function such as operation indication (dropout, burnt mark, a plunger etc.), driving an aux contact to close, limiting the peak current etc.
Fuse Types
Various fuses exist in electric circuits. Our first task is to identify the fuse application and type. There are general three types of fuses found in an electric circuits categorized as follows:
Miniature Fuses
These Fuses are identified as type: FF (Ultra Rapid) F or QA or QB (Fast Blow) M or MD (Medium Blow) T or SB (Slow Blow) TT (Ultra Slow)
Bottle Fuses
Miniature Fuses
These Fuses are identified as type: Diazed 500V Fuses, D1 (E16), D11 (E27), D111 (E33) Neozed 380V Fuses, D01 (E14), D02 (E18) Silazed Ultra Rapid Fuses, D11 (E27), D111 (E33)
Industrial Fuses
These Fuses are identified as type: aR, gR or uR (Ultra Rapid) gL or gG (General Line) gM (Motor rated general Line) aM (Motor rated) gF or gTF (Transformer, Cable Protection) gB (Mining Fuses) NH fuses are typically used for distribution applications to large electrical devices such as motors, drives and similar. They are available in seven sizes from 3A to 1600A, but it depends on manufacturer.
NH type with blades
NH fuses have knife blades at both ends which mount into one or three pole fuse basis/holder. Fuse holder can be installed on panel or DIN rail. Operating classes:
gL/gG
Offers protection at every level. Typically used for distribution circuit or resistive loads.
aM
Offers protection for all low voltage motors. Fast acting short circuit protection, but slow acting overload protection.
aR
Semiconductor protection partial range, overload and short circuit protection for devices such as diodes, SCRs etc.
gR
Semiconductor protection, full range overload and short circuit protection for devices such as diodes, SCRs etc.
Generally, a fuse current rating shall not be less than the full load rating of the circuit it is protecting. Overloads or overcurrents if occur frequently will degrade the fuse performance and hence there shall be clear idea of overloads which occur frequently or infrequently. Overcurrents typically occur in motor circuits, charging (energizing) a reactive equipment like: Capacitor, Shunt Reactor, Transformer etc. Overloads occur due to diversity in loads (based on max load, connected load or contingency loads, increased loads, process jams, mechanical failures etc.). some overcurrents or overloads are requires the circuits to be disconnected, while others may be transient requiring fuses to ride through them (in coordination with some other protective device upstream or downstream). Obviously, upstream device operation before the fuse is designed to enhance interruption capability.