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A fuse is a part of the circuit which consists of conductor which melts easily and breaks the connection
when current exceeds the predetermined value. An electrical fuse is a weakest part of an electrical
circuit which breaks when more than predetermined current flows through it.
Fuse Wire
The function of fuse wire is to carry the normal current without excessive heating but more than normal
current when pass through fuse wire, it rapidly heats up and melts. The materials used for fuse wires are
mainly tin, lead, copper, aluminum etc.
Rated fuse current
It is the rms value of current which the fuse wire can carry continuously without deterioration and with
temperature rise within specified limits.
Fusing current
It is the minimum value of current at which the fuse wire melts. Obviously, the value of Fusing current
will be more than Rated fuse current. For a round wire the approx value of fusing current is given by
I = kd3/2
Where, k = fuse constant; d = diameter of wire
The value of fuse constant “k” depends upon various factors such as; type of material used, cross
section area i.e. round or rectangular, length of wire, enclosure type, diameter of wire etc. the value of
“k” for different elements is given in table below.
Fusing factor
The ratio of minimum fusing current and the current rating of fuse element is known as fusing factor.
Minimum fusing current
Fusing factor =
Current rating of fuse wire
In the case of small fusing factor, the fuse element can be deteriorated due to overheating at rated
current. For a copper rewirable fuse, the fusing factor is equal to 1.9 to 2. For the cartridge fuses it is
equal to1.45.
Prospective Current
Before melting, the fuse element has to carry the short circuit current through it. The prospective
current is defined as the value of current which would flow through the fuse immediately after a short
circuit occurs in the network.
Cut‐off current
The melting of fuse element before the current reaches the prospective peak is called the cut‐off. The
value of current at which the cut off occurs is called the cut‐off value.
Pre‐arcing Time of Fuse
This is the time taken by a fuse wire to be broken by melting. It is counted from the instant; the over
current starts to flow through fuse, to the instant when fuse wire is just broken by melting.
Arcing Time of Fuse
After breaking of fuse wire there will be an arcing between both melted tips of the wire which will be
extinguished at the current zero. The time accounted from the instant of arc initiated to the instant of
arc being extinguished is known as arcing time of fuse.
Operating Time of Fuse
The operating time of fuse is the time gap between the instant when the over rated current just starts to
flow through the fuse and the instant when the arc in fuse finally extinguished. Operating time of fuse =
pre arcing time + arcing time of fuse.
Operating time of fuse = pre arcing time + arcing time of fuse.
Types of fuses
A fuse unit consists of;
Metal fuse element or link
Set of contacts between which the fuse element is fixed
Body
There are two categories of fuses in general
Low voltage fuse
High voltage fuse
Low voltage fuse
Low voltage fuse can be further subdivided into two classes
Rewirable or semi enclosed type
Cartridge or totally enclosed type
Rewirable or semi enclosed type fuses
It consists of a porcelain base carrying the fixed contacts and a porcelain fuse carrier holding the fuse
element.
Fig: Kit‐kat fuse
The fuse carrier can be taken out or inserted in the base without risk, even without opening the main
switch. The fuse wire can be replaced in the case of damage. It means the fuse base and the fuse holder
need not to change in the case of fuse wire burnt. The fuse wire may be of lead, tinned copper,
aluminium or alloy of tin‐lead. Generally the fusing current is twice of the rated current. When two or
more fuse wires are used, the wires should be kept apart and a derating factor of 0.7 to 0.8 should be
employed to arrive at the total fuse rating.
The specifications are covered by IS : 2086‐1963. Standard ratings are 6, 16, 32, 63 and 100 A. Fuse wire
of lower rating can be used in higher rating fuse base and holder but not vise versa.
Advantages
easy removal or replacement of fuse element without any danger
negligible replacement cost
Disadvantages
a. Unreliable operation
possibility of replacement with wrong size
due to deterioration, the fuse wire may operate at current below rated capacity
As the fusing current is about 2 times of rated current the apparatus may get damaged during
fault condition before melting of the fuse wire
Low accuracy
Accurate calibration of the fuse wire is impossible as, longer fuse operates earlier than one of
shorter length.
Single phasing may occur in operation of motor when fuses are used in motor circuit
b. Lack of discrimination
Due to unreliable operation, discrimination cannot be always ensured.
c. Small time lag
Can blow with large transient currents which are encountered during the starting of motors and
switching on operation of transformers, capacitors etc.)
d. Low rupturing capacity
Rewirable fuses have low rupturing capacity. A fuse of 16 A rating have a breaking capacity of 2 kA and
those up to 200 A have 4 kA
e. Slow speed of operation
Arcing time is high because no special means are there for arc extinction.
f. Risk of flame and fire
Cartridge or totally enclosed type fuses
The fuse element is enclosed in an enclosed container and is provided with metal contacts on both
sides. The fuses are further classified as D type and Link type
D type Cartridge fuses
This is a fuse comprising a fuse base, adaptor ring, cartridge and a fuse cap. The cartridge is pushed in
the fuse cap and the cap is screwed on the fuse base. The standard ratings are 6, 16, 32, and 63 A. the
breaking or rupturing capacity is of the order of 4 kA for 2 and 4 A fuses and 16 kA for 6 to 63 A fuses.
These types of fuses do not have the drawbacks of the rewirable fuses. These are reliable and
discrimination and coordination are achieved to a reasonable extent.
Link type Cartridge fuses or HRC fuses
In that type of fuse, the fuse wire or element can carry short circuit heavy current for a known time
period. During this time if the fault is removed, then it does not blow off otherwise it blows off or melts.
The enclosure of HRC fuse is either of glass or some other chemical compound. This enclosure is fully air
tight to avoid the effect of atmosphere on the fuse materials. The ceramic enclosure having metal end
cap at both heads, to which fusible wire is joined. The space within the enclosure, surrounding the fuse
wire or fuse element is completely packed with a filling powder. This type of fuse is reliable and has
inverse time characteristic, that means if the fault current is high then rupture time is less and if fault
current is not so high then rupture time is long. These are available in different ratings up to 1250 A.
Operation of HRC fuses
When the over rated current flows through the fuse element of high rupturing capacity fuse the element
is melted and vapourized. The filling powder is of such a quantity that the chemical reaction between
the silver vapour and the filling powder forms high electrical resistance substances which very much
help in quenching the arc.
Link type cartridge fuses are divided in two categories; Knife blade type and Bolted type
Knife Blade Type HRC Fuse: This kind is easily replaceable in the circuit without any load. For this
purpose, special insulated fuse pullers are used.
Bolted Type HRC Link Fuse: In this type, the conducting plates are bolted to the base of the fuse. There
is also a presence of a switch through which the fuse can be removed without getting an electrical
shock.
Fig: Knife Blade Type HRC Fuse Fig: Bolted Type HRC Link Fuse
Operating characteristics
Time current characteristics
HRC fuse has inverse time‐current characteristic as shown in figure. This property is very useful for
overload protection.
I (Amp)
200 Amp fuse
1400
1200
100 Amp fuse
1000
800
60 Amp fuse
600
400
200
100
0.01 0.04 0.08 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 3 4 T (Sec)
Fig: Time current characteristic
I2t characteristics
This term is normally used in short circuit conditions and the values are used to perform co‐ordination
studies in electrical networks. I2t parameters are provided by charts in manufacturer data sheets for
each fuse family. For coordination of fuse operation with upstream or downstream devices, both
melting I2t and clearing I2t are specified. The melting I2t, is proportional to the amount of energy
required to begin melting the fuse element. The clearing I2t is proportional to the total energy let
through by the fuse when clearing a fault. The energy is mainly dependent on current and time for fuses
as well as the available fault level and system voltage. Since the I2t rating of the fuse is proportional to
the energy it lets through, it is a measure of the thermal damage and magnetic forces that will be
produced by a fault.
107
106
Total I2t
105
Pre arcing I2t
104
103
102
10
1
4 60 100 150 300 400 500 Fuse Rating (A)
Cut‐off current characteristics
The ability of HRC fuse to limit the short circuit current is known as cut‐off as illustrated in fig below.
Due to this cut‐off property the short circuit current does not attain the prospective current. Hence the
circuit is not subjected to electrodynamic stresses corresponding to peak prospective current. Because
of this property of HRC fuse the operating time is as low as one fourth of a cycle.
On occurrence of fault, heavy fault current starts flowing through the fuse element, and the silver fuse
element starts melting at one or more points depending upon the design of the fuse. On the blowing out
of fuse an arc is formed between the two ends and a transient current is superimposed on the
prospective current. When the sum of transient current and prospective current is zero the arc is
quenched.
Fig: Current cut off characteristics
Fast operation
The HRC fuse interrupts the short circuit current long before it attains the max value. The short circuit
current is interrupted within the first quarter of a cycle.
Non deteriorating characteristics
This property of HRC fuse is achieved by sealing of the silver element within the fuse body with the help
of special cementing and the soldering of the end caps.
Low temperature operation
To prevent overheating of associated contacts this property is very essential.
Arc voltage
The magnitude of voltages induced due to interruption of inductive circuits depends upon the
magnitude of short circuit and the circuit constants. HRC fuses are designed within safe limits of these
overvoltages.
Rupturing capacity
It is the product of service voltage in kV and the rms value of the prospective current in kA it can handle.
It is expressed in MVA.
Low cost
Because of the cut off characteristics of the HRC fuse, for the given rupturing capacity the actual current
to be interrupted by an HRC fuse is much less in comparison to other interrupting devices hence it is less
expensive in comparison to other interrupting devices.
Discrimination
Discrimination means the breaking of the faulty section of the line to an extent restricted to minimum,
healthy sections of the circuits remaining in operation.
Advantages and disadvantages of HRC link fuses
Advantages
Cheaper compared to the other types of circuit interrupters of same breaking capacity
Simple and easy installation
No maintenance is required
High breaking capacity
Consistence in performance
Quick and sure
Do not deteriorate with time
Inverse time characteristics; which makes them suitable for overload protection
Capable of clearing high as well as low current
Reliable
Low fusing factor
Low thermal and dynamic stresses on equipments to be protected
Disadvantages
Time consuming for replacement for each operation
Interlocking is not possible
It causes overheating of adjacent contacts
Drop out fuse
The melting of fuse causes the fuse element to drop under gravity about its lower support which creates
visible isolation. Such fuses are employed for protection of outdoor transformers. On blowing off fuse
the complete tube can be lifted from the hinge by means of a special insulator rod and brought down for
replacement of fuse element. After replacing the element the tube is placed in the hinge and the device
is closed in a way similar to closing of isolators.
High voltage HRC fuses
There are two types of HV HRC fuses
Cartridge type HV HRC fuse
This is similar in general construction to the low voltage type except that some special design features
are incorporated. In some designs the element is wound in the shape of helix so as to avoid corona
affect at higher voltages. In some design two fuse elements in parallel are employed; one of low
resistance carries the normal current, the other is of high resistance (tungsten wire) and, after the low
resistance has blown off, reduces the short circuit current and finally breaks the circuit. HV cartridge
fuses are used up to 33 kV, with rupturing capacity of about 8760 A at that voltage (500 MVA 3 phase).
Ratings of the order of 200 A at 6.6 kV and 11 kV, and 50 A at 33 kV are also available.
Liquid type HV HRC fuse
In liquid fuse carbon tetra chloride is used for arc extinction. Liquid type HRC fuse consists of a carbon
tetra chloride filled glass tube sealed at both ends with brass caps. One end of the fuse element is sealed
with the cap and the other end is held by a strong phosphor bronze spring fixed at the other end of the
tube. On the occurrence of fault the fuse element melts and the springs pulls it into the carbon tetra
chloride solution, thereby extinguishing the arc.