Guess What? Fuses Still Matter
Chuck Ross
Up until three years ago, I lived with a couple small boxes of spare fuses that sat on top of the water heater in the basement, ready to be drawn from should the rare combination of, say, the toaster and microwave operating at the same time happen to shut down power to the kitchen. During 15 years in this house, I think I only had to change a fuse once or twice, but the mere fact I had a fuse box rather than a breaker panel severely limited my home insurance options. Then, in preparation for adding a central AC condenser, I made the move to upgrade. When my contractor took a gander at the 43-year-old fuse box, it was like he was seeing something out of a museum of outdated electrical equipment – and I now have an up-to-date breaker box able to pass any home insurer’s requirements.
But my experience doesn’t mean that low-voltage fuses still aren’t a vital overcurrent protection tool – just that you’re more likely to see them in industrial settings than in a residential basement. In fact, fuses have design advantages that make them the preferred choice in many settings. For one, these devices have a smaller footprint and are less expensive than breakers. But perhaps more importantly, the variety of fuses available means they can be matched to meet specific needs, and their speed of operation can provide faster protection for sensitive equipment.
Applications where fuses are the preferred choice include:
So, while I am still very happy with my own up-to-insurance-standards breaker box, I’m actually pleased that this technology, invented by Thomas Edison in 1890, still has a place in modern electrical designs.
But my experience doesn’t mean that low-voltage fuses still aren’t a vital overcurrent protection tool – just that you’re more likely to see them in industrial settings than in a residential basement. In fact, fuses have design advantages that make them the preferred choice in many settings. For one, these devices have a smaller footprint and are less expensive than breakers. But perhaps more importantly, the variety of fuses available means they can be matched to meet specific needs, and their speed of operation can provide faster protection for sensitive equipment.
Applications where fuses are the preferred choice include:
- Explosive or hazardous environments, where gases or dust are present. Breakers can occasionally spark when they open, which could be catastrophic in places where gas or dust is present. Fuses don’t have this problem.
- Harsh environments, where moisture, temperature extremes and vibration are an issue. Fuses are less susceptible to these conditions.
- Critical control circuits, where a momentary power loss could have serious consequences. In these settings, fuses are less likely to nuisance trip and are easier to maintain.
- Semiconductor devices that are especially sensitive to overcurrent conditions. In these uses, fuses can react quickly to provide precise protection.
So, while I am still very happy with my own up-to-insurance-standards breaker box, I’m actually pleased that this technology, invented by Thomas Edison in 1890, still has a place in modern electrical designs.
Photo courtesy of Mersen
