![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Destruction! Blow Up! Eliminate! These are not pleasant words!
Unfortunately, when it comes to safety we have no other choices. In the electrical industry, fuses are destroyed in order to protect lives or property.
Whenever there is a big fault in the power lines, possibly caused by short-circuiting, fuses are very helpful to stop the flow of current.
Unlike circuit breakers, fuses have no mechanical moving parts that can fail to operate. A fuse is just an electrical link in the circuit that can melt very quickly whenever a certain temperature is reached.
Fuses have 4 things to do in a circuit:
1. They must sense faults
2. They must open quickly when a short-circuit occurs
3. They must also sense the normal overloaded conditions, but must open if the overload becomes excessive or prolonged.
4. They must not change or alter the characteristic of the current during normal operation.
Early types of fuses use lead wires, selected based on their diameters, connected to terminals. These types have some disadvantages. Whenever a fuse blows, the molten metal spatters over the equipment and could cause injury to people or cause fires, especially when the arc was not confined.
Later, cartridge fuses replaced the old lead wire fuses. These consist of non-conducting cylinders which contain soft metal fuse strips. The strips are connected to the ends of the cylinders by metal caps or ferrules. The entire cartridge fuse is mounted onto a matching fuse block.
Even these cartridge fuses have 2 types - those with renewable fuse links and those one-time non-renewable types. The only advantage of the renewable type - they are more economical because the cartridge can be reused. However, more precautions are needed with regards to the cleanliness of the contacts, the securing of the cap bolts, and the choice of the current rating of the link.
Whenever a fuse blows, it means there is already a big fault in the circuit. Electricians must be especially careful during this time and take the necessary precautions. The fuses blow up for safety. Don't cause another blow up!
Until next time...
Are You Stumped by Complicated Electrical Calculations? Learn Electro-Technology Calculations for 1st Class Marine Engineers Competency License Exams at Electro-Technology Questions & Answers e-book. Applicable for all electrical installations both on ships and at shore.
Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities, Construction has given the author material for writing e-books and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe to facworld ezine More information at Marine Engineer and M & E Engineer
An electric current produces a magnetic field. This is the... Read More
A boiler is used for generating steam. It does this... Read More
Robots are for every one. Tech TV now host Battle... Read More
Whenever there's a drought, someone will come up with the... Read More
Para Trooper Gliders were very popular in WW II, they... Read More
Cal Tech along with the Universities in Japan are on... Read More
A Mechanical bullet, which will turn in flight is well... Read More
Well it is written that God created man 5000 years... Read More
Here is a very basic concept idea/plan to harvest energy... Read More
Telescopes are devices that are used to view the distant... Read More
Surely, in the days before man invented artificial light, moths... Read More
Here is a thought to get this topic started. A... Read More
It is difficult to have a discussion with someone about... Read More
Fundamental elements of life and the aspects of cloning bring... Read More
As you read this book you will have to suspend... Read More
For the better part of human history mechanical pumps and... Read More
ASTROPHYSICS: - Many other entries will deal with knowledge from... Read More
In lieu of recent, tumultuous occurrences, people are more compelled... Read More
I am being allowed time out to raise a subject... Read More
What we know as satellite tv actually had its origins... Read More
We sure have come along way since the horse and... Read More
DNA testing is routinely used in immigration cases to prove... Read More
There are many technologies being used today such as ultrasonic... Read More
The art or science of metallurgy is vital to the... Read More
Want to learn a new language? Would you like to... Read More
A Thorn in the Side for American Business and Consumers... Read More
Most people assume that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.... Read More
And as I was typing this, I stopped for a... Read More
NASA scientists had to solve a relatively common problem hear... Read More
We have often been asked where wax comes from? Well... Read More
Solar power will be necessary for space exploration and off... Read More
Presently mini-blimps are being deployed in government leadership buildings as... Read More
A recent study, which was conducted by the Florida State... Read More
Cleaning Plexiglas windows is not easy, you have to be... Read More
Want to learn a new language? Would you like to... Read More
In lieu of recent, tumultuous occurrences, people are more compelled... Read More
Travertine is a compacted form of limestone that forms in... Read More
Human innate bonding to ELF ? Extremely Low Frequencies of... Read More
I believe their is a way to have an on... Read More
The ancient history of of man and bees has been... Read More
There is no right way of saying this, so I'll... Read More
Constantly bombarded with negative information about the environment, finances and... Read More
Visual limits of the human brain and the visual processing... Read More
Recently scientists have discovered the hydrogen sulfide gas caused mice... Read More
We need to design tiny robotic bees, which can mimic... Read More
How can we, as individuals, participate in waste management? Because... Read More
Genetically Engineered Organisms and Genetically Modified Organisms, with Monsanto Corporation... Read More
As scientists and theorists study patterns, design, chaos, complexity they... Read More
As man learns to make machines that no longer rely... Read More
By using a special coating on the deck of an... Read More
Science Articles Science Articles |