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Fuses & Fuse Holders
Electronic equipment is often designed with built-in circuit protection. The main function is to provide protection to both the equipment and the equipment operator in the event of a circuit overload. This protection usually comes in one of two forms: a circuit breaker or a fuse. A circuit breaker is an automatic switch that prohibits the flow of electric current when it is rapidly overloaded or unusually stressed. A fuse is a safety device that protects an electric circuit from excessive current.
Fuses
A fuse is a replaceable circuit protection device that provides protection to both the equipment and the equipment operator in the event of a circuit overload. The essential component in a fuse is a metal wire or strip that will melt when the current exceeds the amount that the fuse is designed to withstand, opening the circuit path, and disconnecting the equipment from the power source. When a traditional fuse disconnects, or “blows,” it must be removed and replaced with a new fuse. While there are many different kinds of fuses available, these are the ones that Interpower offers.
North American—¼ x 1¼ inch and 5 x 20mm
Breaking Characteristics
Fast-Acting
A fast-acting fuse will open on overload and short circuits very quickly. These fuses are used in equipment where there are no transient in-rush currents. They offer protection for equipment that cannot withstand current overloads, even briefly. Fast-acting fuses are typically constructed with a single strand of wire or strip of metal.
Examples of North American Fast-Acting Fuses
| Fast-Acting ¼ x 1¼ Inch Glass Fuse | Fast-Acting ¼ x 1¼ Inch Ceramic Fuse | Fast-Acting 5 x 20mm Glass Fuse |
|---|---|---|
 P/N: 813AGC-1 |
 P/N: 813ABC-1 |
 |
| Fast-acting ¼ x 1¼ inch glass fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1/8A to 6A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A, 100A, 200A or 10000A. |
Fast-acting ¼ x 1¼ inch ceramic fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1/2A to 20A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A, 100A, 200A, 750A, or 1500A. | Fast-acting 5 x 20mm glass fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1/4A to 8A, a voltage rating of either 125VAC or 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A, 100A, 200A or 10000A. |
Time-Delay
Time-delay fuses are designed to withstand a heavy amount of current overload for a limited amount of time. They are used in equipment that can sustain a brief overload situation; typically where loads are inductive, such as equipment utilizing fans, transformers, etc. The construction of time-delay fuses usually utilizes a coiled wire, a thick filament wrapped in wire, or a spring for the element.
Examples of North American ¼ x 1¼ inch Time-Delay Fuses
| Time-Delay Glass Fuse | Time-Delay Ceramic Fuse |
|---|---|
 P/N: 813MSL-1 |
 P/N: 813MDA-1 |
| Time-delay glass fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1/4A to 8A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A, 100A, or 200A. |
Time-delay ceramic fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1/2A to 20A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A, 100A, 200A, 750A, or 1500A. |
International 5 x 20mm
Breaking Characteristics
Quick-Acting
Similar to North American fast-acting, this fuse blows very quickly when overloaded.
Time-Delay
Similar to North American time-delay, the fuse allows the overload to exist briefly before blowing.
Low-Breaking Capacity
A minimal ability of the fuse to remain physically intact when overloaded. A low-breaking capacity fuse is readily subject to being physically destroyed if the current surge is great enough.
High-Breaking Capacity
A high level ability of the fuse to remain physically intact even when the overload is great. The fuse is usually constructed with a ceramic body, rather than glass, and filled with silica sand to absorb a large overload and protect the fuse itself.
Examples of International Fuses
| Quick-Acting/ Low-Breaking |
Time-Delay/ Low-Breaking |
Quick-Acting/ High-Breaking |
|---|---|---|
 P/N: 81411101 |
 P/N: 81412161 |
 P/N: 81413421 |
| Quick-acting glass fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from .032A to 10A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A low breaking, 40A, 50A, 63A, or 100A. | Time-delay glass fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from .063A to 10A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of either 35A low breaking, 40A, 50A, 63A, or 100A. | Quick-acting brass ceramic—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 1A to 10A, a voltage rating of 250VAC, and a breaking capacity of 1500A high breaking. |
Specialty Fuses
United Kingdom—BS 1362
Characteristics
Fast/Medium Clearing Speed
High-Breaking Capacity
Example of a UK Fuse
| Tube Ceramic |
|---|
 P/N: 81400990 |
| Tube ceramic fuses—Different varieties available; all with a rated current ranging from 3A to 13A, a voltage rating of 240VAC, and a breaking capacity of 6000A. This fuse is specifically for use in British plugs, not for equipment applications. |
Fuse Holder and Fuse Carrier
Fuse Holder
A fuse holder is mounted in the equipment and is designed to hold the fuse. Interpower offers panel-mounted fuse holders that, when paired with the appropriate fuse carrier, can hold North American and international sized fuses.
Two Examples of a Fuse Holder Offered by Interpower
| "Touchproof”/High Profile | "Touchproof”/Low Profile |
|---|---|
 P/N: 80910070 |
 P/N: 80920110 |
Fuse Carrier
A fuse carrier is the “cap” to the fuse holder. It carries the fuse into the holder and secures the fuse in place. One of the benefits of using a fuse carrier in conjunction with a fuse holder is that they are touchproof.
Two Examples of a Fuse Carrier Offered by Interpower
| For ¼ x 1-¼ inch Fuse | For 5 x 20mm Fuse |
|---|---|
Fuse Clip
A fuse clip is for internal fuses on PC boards. It takes two clips for one fuse. Fuse clips are an alternative to fuse blocks, with many of the same features. A fuse clip offered by Interpower comes in one size. It is PC-board mounted and accessible only from within the equipment. It has a “stop” on it, to help position the fuse when it is being inserted.
An Example of a Fuse Clip
| PC-Board Mount with Solder Pins |
|---|
 P/N: 8091A3399-10 |
For More Details
For the complete product line offered by Interpower, see Fuses and Fuse Holders. Find additional information on design strategies, selecting the fuse size, load rating considerations, breaking capacity selection, and thermal considerations at “More Information on Fuses and Fuse Holders.”