Fuse

Objectives
 The student should be able to :-
 State the function of a fuse in a
circuit.
 Explain how a fuse works
 Explain the meaning of a fuse rating
 Choose a correct fuse rating for a
given appliance
10.5 Fuse
 Electrical components and
appliances will work when a certain
amount of current passes through.
 If too much current flows, the
component or appliance can be
damaged or catch fire.
 To prevent this, a fuse is placed in
the circuit.
10.5.a What is a fuse?
 A fuse is a short length of wire of a
certain diameter.
 It is made of an alloy of tin and lead.
 It has a low melting point
 The circuit symbol for a fuse.
10.5.b How does a fuse work?
 A fuse is connected in series.
 If too much current flows, the fuse
becomes hot and melts.
 This breaks the circuit and so the
current stop flowing.
 The fuse has thus protected the
component or appliances from being
damaged by the large current
10.5.c Fuse Ratings

 The ratings of a fuse is the maximum current that can flow through a
fuse without melting.
 Common fuse ratings are 0.1A, 1A, 3A, 5A,13A,,30A.
 A fuse with a rating of 1 A melts if the current through it is greater
than 1 A.
10.5.d To choose the correct
fuse rating.
 First calculate the current from the
equation:
 Power(P) = current ( I ) x voltage(V)
P=IxV
 Then the fuse rating we choose
should be equal or slightly more than
the value of the current calculated.
10.5.e A hair dryer has a power of 480 w. It is joined to the
240 V mains power supply. What fuse should be used?
 P=IxV
480 = I x 240
I = 480 / 240
=2A
 The hair dryer requires a current of 2 A. We should choose a
fuse of 3 A.
 A 13 A fuse cannot be used because it will allow a current of
more than 2A to pass through. This larger current will
damage the hair dryer first.The 13 A fuse will only melt if the
current is more than 13 A.
 1 A fuse cannot be use because the hair dryer requires a
current of 2 A to work. The 1 A fuse will melt very quickly and
break the circuit.
10.5.f. Where do we find fuses ?
10.5.g Circuit Breakers
 Many buildings have
circuit breakers instead
of fuses.
 A circuit breaker is a
special switch.
 If the current is too large,
the circuit breakers trips(
turns off the circuit).
 To complete the circuit
again, we just turn on the
switch.
Class work
 1. What is meant by a fuse and a circuit
breaker?
 2. An electric kettle has a power of 2 400 W.
It is joined to the 240 V mains power supply.
A. What current flows through the
kettle?
B. What fuse rating is needed?
Homework
1. Common fuse ratings are 0.1 A, 1 A, 3 A, 5 A,
13 A, 15 A and 30 A. Look at the table below and
choose the required values for fuses for A, B,
and C.
Appliance current needed Fuse needed
for safety
 Table lamp 0.25 A A
 Refrigerator 10 A B
 Electric iron 4A C