Engineering Instruction 5/5

Pages:
3
Date Issued :
Title 20 August 2007

Time Limit Fuses Supersedes:

None

Prepared By S. Sabao (O&CE) Review / Approved Date

Checked By B. Siso (DSM)

Approved By P.J. Simoyi (OD)

1. SCOPE

1.1 The purpose of the Engineering Instruction is to bring to the notice of

all. Divisions and Districts a number of troubles which have been
experienced with “D” Fuses during the past few years.

1.2 The defect referred to in Paragraph 4 below has been the cause of a
number of Interruptions of Supply, and it is felt that by careful
attention to the points mentioned in that Paragraph, the frequency of
this type of interruption can be considerably reduced.

2. TYPE OF FUSE ELEMENT.

2.1 The Commission has standardised on two types of fuse elements. Type F is a
slow-blowing element and is supplied for all ratings up to and including 10
amps; Type M is a medium fast-blowing element and is supplied for all
ratings above 10 amps.

3. WASHERS.

3.1 In view of the tendency in this country for wasps and other insects to
build their nests in the insulated fuse carrier, thus effectively blocking
the arc expulsion vents, it has been the practice to fit fibre washers at
the top and bottom of the insulated tube.

It has been found, however, that the fibre washer at the bottom of the
fuse carrier reduces the rupturing capacity of the fuse, and as a result,
in a number of cases, the carrier has been destroyed when the fuse has
blown on a fault.
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3.2 The makers have now provided us with supplies of gauze washers which they
consider should overcome this difficulty.

3.3 Divisions are therefore requested to fit gauze washers at the bottom of all “D”
Fuse carriers at the earliest convenient opportunity. Fibre washers should be
fitted at the top of the carriers until supplies are exhausted, after which gauze
washers should be fitted at both ends.

4. CARRIER FALLING OUT.

4.1 A number of interruptions have been caused by the carrier falling out
without the Fuse having blown.

4.2 An examination of Interruption of Supply Reports reveals that the “D”

fuse carrier becomes so loose in fully in the holder, due presumably to
the fact that either (a) there is not sufficient tension in the fuse element
to hold the trigger catch in position against the thrust of the top leaf
spring contact, or (b) one or both of the fuse mount insulators have
become slightly loose as a result of the deterioration of the fixing
cement, thus allowing too much play between the fuse mount and fuse
carrier contacts.

4.3 A possible cause of the trouble referred to in 4.2 (a) is that, when a
new fuse element is fitted, it is not tensioned up sufficiently.

The following instructions on fitting a new element have been

extracted from Johnson & Phillips’ booklet on these fuses :-

“When fitting a new element, draw as tight as possible with fusing

section of the element as nearly in the centre of the tube as possible.
The top trigger catch should be hard down on the top of the fuse tube.

“After closing a few times the fuse wire will stretch slightly and leave
a small gap. This should not be allowed to exceed 1/8 inch.

“The best way to rewire is to bind the fuse element in the top contact
first, then draw the element through the tube and bind up at bottom
contact.”

4.4 Regarding 4.2 (b), it is possible to counteract this defect by moving the
latch-in contact a small distance along the insulated tube, thus
increasing slightly the distance between the bottom and top contact on
the carrier.

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 5. ROUTINE INSPECTIONS.

5.1 Divisions should make a particular point of examining “D” Fuses

during each routine inspection. If the carrier appears to be loose, the
fuse element should be re-tensioned at the earliest convenient
opportunity, and if this does not cure the trouble, then the procedure
mentioned in sub-Paragraph 4.4 should be adopted.

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