Wednesday, 18 April 2012

What do you mean by a 'Fuse"?


What is the function of a fuse? And what are the types?

   Ans:                  A fuse is a device that disconnects the circuit, in case the current    exceeds the rated capacity of the circuit.  If the circuit the circuit is not disconnected, either the instrument may get damaged or the wire may get heated up resulting into fire hazard or even the source may get damaged.  Fuse basically consists of a piece of wire having lower melting point and is connected in series in the circuit.  In case of short circuit, the fuse element gets melted and thus the electric circuit is broken. 
                    The fuses are of two types 1] Rewirable fuse   2] Cartridge fuse.
Rewirable fuses were used earlier for electrical circuits of residential or commercial or industrial electrification.  Whereas cartridge fuses are used in machinery. In case the fuse gets melted due to higher current/voltage, care should be taken to ensure that the replaced fuse wire/cartridge is of the same capacity. Else the fuse may not melt may not protect the circuit/appliance.

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