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Types of Fuses and their Applications
Electrical Engineering
By
Madhu
Updated On
June 16, 2020
PCBX
Many types of fuses are there that interrupt an over-current and breaks the circuit by melting the fuse
element. They are mainly divided into two types, AC fuse, and DC fuse. Furthermore, fuses are classified
into different types depending on voltage and construction. They are:
Different types of Fuses
Contents hide
1 Types of Fuses
2 DC Fuses
3 AC Fuses
3.1 2.1 Low Voltage Fuse
3.1.1 2.1.1 Cartridge Type Fuse (Totally Enclosed Type)
3.1.1.1 2.1.1.1 D-type Fuse
3.1.1.2 2.1.1.2 Link-type Fuse
3.1.2 2.1.2 Rewireable Fuse
3.1.3 2.1.3 Striker Fuse
3.1.4 2.1.4 Dropout Fuse
3.1.5 2.1.5 Switch Fuse
3.2 2.2 High Voltage Fuse
3.2.1 2.2.1 Cartridge Type HV HRC Fuse
3.2.2 2.2.2 Liquid Type HV HRC Fuse
3.2.3 2.2.3 Expulsion Type HV HRC fuse
4 Fuse Applications
Types of Fuses
DC Fuses
DC fuses produce an arc that are difficult to stop than AC arcs because there are no zero current flows in
the circuit. For reducing the DC fuse arcing the electrodes are placed at more distance due to which the
size of the fuse increases as compared to AC fuse.
AC Fuses
In AC circuits, the arc extinguishes easily when compared to DC circuits. Because the frequency of the AC
fuses changes its amplitude from 0º to 60º in every one second. AC fuse is further divided into two
categories. They are low voltage fuses and high voltage fuses.
2.1 Low Voltage Fuse
Low voltage fuses are very common in electrical systems and they come in different shapes and designs.
Low voltage fuses have a voltage rating of less than or equal to 1,500V.
2.1.1 Cartridge Type Fuse (Totally Enclosed Type)
Catridge type fuse
Catridge type fuse (Totally Enclosed Type)
Construction of Catridge Type Fuse
Construction of Catridge Type Fuse
Cartridge fuse consists of the heat-resisting ceramic body enclosed by a metal cap at both ends. The
filling material such as chalk, plaster of Paris, quartz or marble dust surrounds the body space which acts
as an arc quenching and cooling medium. Often, they are widely used in industries, agricultural areas
and residential purposes such as fuse panels, air conditioning, pumps, and home appliances
These types of fuses are classified into D-type and Link-type fuses.
2.1.1.1 D-type Fuse
Construction of D-type fuse
D-type fuse
D-type Fuse Construction
Construction of D-type fuse
It consists of an adapter ring, cartridge, base, and cap. The fuse base is connected to the fuse cap and
the cartridge is kept inside the fuse cap through the adapter ring. The circuit gets completed when the
tip of the cartridge makes contact with the conductor.
2.1.1.2 Link-type Fuse
Heat resisting fuse
Heat-resisting fuse
Link-type cartridge fuses are also known as High Rupturing Capacity fuses (HRC). HRC fuse has a high
breaking capacity. It has two metal ends on both sides. The Filling of the fuse with powdered pure
quartz acts as an arc extinguishing agent. The fuse element uses silver or copper for its construction.
Construction of Link Type Fuse
Construction of Link Type Fuse
The fuse element carries the short circuit current for a long period of time. During this time, an
uncertain fault will melt and open the circuit. The chemical reaction between a silver vapor and the
filling powder forms a high resistance which helps in quenching the arc.
The breaking capacity of the fuse is increased by using two or more silver wire in parallel. This type of
fuse is very reliable and divided into two types: Blade type fuses and Bolt down type fuses.
Blade type fuse
Blade type fuse
Bolted fuse
Bolted fuse
The Blade fuse are also known as spade or plug-in fuse. Automotive OEMs use this fuse for vehicle
circuit protection and withstand high temperatures. Whereas, Bolt down fuse are special-purpose ones
suitable for diesel vehicles and not appropriate for automotive trucks.
2.1.2 Rewireable Fuse
Rewirable Ceramic fuse
Ceramic fuse
Re-wirable fuse is also known as a kit-kat fuse. It is a simple and cheapest form of a fuse. This fuse is
suitable for domestic wiring for e.g in houses. Moreover, when the fuse blows out, it is easy to replace
and reuse.
It consists of a fuse base and a fuse carrier. The construction of fuse element in the fuse carrier uses
tinned copper, lead or aluminium and porcelain for the base.
The base has two terminals for incoming and outgoing supply. When a fault occurs, the fuse element
blows out and interrupt the circuit. The blown-out fuse can be replaced by a new one. The main
advantage of this type of fuse is, it is rewireable but the disadvantage is less reliable.
2.1.3 Striker Fuse
Striker fuse
Striker fuse (Source: mc-mc.com)
This type of fuse has a mechanical indicator or striker pin that protrudes through the fuse cap upon
operation of the fuse. This provides visual identification of a blown fuse and acts as a trigger for external
devices. It can be used for short circuit protection of medium voltage motors.
2.1.4 Dropout Fuse
Drop out fuse
Drop out fuse
Drop out fuse is an expulsion type fuse to protect the transformers. When the fuse element melts, it
falls due to gravity, hence providing additional isolation.
2.1.5 Switch Fuse
Switch fuse is used for low and medium voltages circuit. They can safely break depending upon rating
currents of the order of 3 times the load current.
2.2 High Voltage Fuse
Transformers and Power systems use High voltage fuses. The fuse element uses material such as copper,
silver or tin. The rating voltage for high voltage fuse is above 1500V and upto 138000V. They are
classified into three types: Cartridge type HRC fuse, Liquid type HRC fuse, Expulsion type HRC fuse.
2.2.1 Cartridge Type HV HRC Fuse
Cartridge type HV HRC fuse
Cartridge type HV HRC fuse
This cartridge fuse is similar to low voltage HRC fuse with some extra features. The fuse wounds in the
shape of a helix or use two fuse elements in parallel to prevent the corona effect at the higher voltages.
One of the fuse element has low resistance and the other has high resistance. Therefore, a low
resistance wire carries the normal current which blows out and reduces the short circuit current during
a fault condition.
HV HRC fuses are available with a rating of 33kV with a rupturing capacity of 8700A.
2.2.2 Liquid Type HV HRC Fuse
Liquid type HV HRC fuse
Liquid type HV HRC fuse (Source: flickr.com/photos/oskay/7777041048)
A liquid fuse (for high currents) consists of a glass tube filled with carbon tetrachloride and sealed with
brass caps at both ends. The fuse wire covers sealing at one end and fixing by strong phosphor bronze
spiral spring at another end of the glass tube. The liquid acts as an arc extinguishing medium.
Construction of Liquid type HV HRC fuse
Construction of Liquid type HV HRC fuse
The fuse blows out when the current exceeds the maximum limit. Liquid type HRC fuse protects
transformer and circuit breakers. They withstand current upto 100A on systems up to 132kV.
2.2.3 Expulsion Type HV HRC fuse
Expulsion type HV HRC fuse
Expulsion type HV HRC fuse
This type of fuse is an escapable fuse in which the expulsion effect of the gases produced by internal
arcing results in current interruption. The fuse link chamber contains boric acid. Therefore, an internal
arcing helps in the protection of feeders and transformers.
Fuse Applications
Some of the applications of fuse for industrial applications are:
Used to protect transformers, motors and power system from over-current conditions
In feeders, power transformers, and solar circuits
Electrical appliances and house distribution boards use fuse for domestic purposes.
Used in automotive cars, electric vehicles, racing cars, rails
Fuses are present in laptops, hard disk drives, printers/scanners, and electronic devices.
Used in gaming systems and smartphone
Conclusion
There are different types of fuses in the market and each fuse has its advantage and use. They are self-
acting brake appliances for the protection of loads. Moreover, they are present in cable wires and
motors for protecting short circuits.
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3 Comments
Valentine nyabayo
July 25, 2022 at 7:58 pm
Thank you for helping me out with my study
Reply
Juma Emmanuel
September 26, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Thanks 👍 alot,, the material was helpful
Reply
Lynn Magnuson
August 1, 2023 at 9:41 am
I have always wondered how they deal with fuses at extremely high voltages. Now I know. Very
informative, well written and interesting article!
Reply
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