Electrical Fuses Vs. Breakers
There are two different types of electrical panels you can have in a home. These include the use of electrical fuses and breakers. There are three primary differences between the two. Electrical fuses are cheaper, do not require as much maintenance, and offer protection.
Electrical fuses are considered sacrificial over current protection devices. A fuse consists of a metal wire that melts when there is too much current flowing too it, causing it to interrupt the circuit it is connected to. When excessive current occurs, a short in the circuit is the result. A fuse has the capability to interrupt excessive current and prevent fire or damage from overheating. Fuses used for electrical panels are similar to automotive fuses. The auto fuses are also used for protection of the wiring and electrical equipment in vehicles.
There is an advantage to using a little fuse in comparison to a breaker. Fuses are far cheaper than breakers. Electrical circuit breakers can cost you up to $200 one and a fuse costs as low as $1. Fuses are simpler than breakers and carry very similar ratings. When a blown fuse needs to be replaced, you do need to completely remove the fuse and replace it with a new one. When a breaker blows or resets all you need to do is simply move it back to the on position. Breakers are easier when resetting than fuses and more convenient. Replacement of a fuse is considered a dangerous task.
Electrical fuses do not require as much maintenance as some types of circuit breakers. There are some electrical circuit breakers which require maintenance on a regular basis. It is important to provide maintenance to ensure proper mechanical operation. Fuses rely on a melting process and there is not a mechanical operation. Fuses operate under fault conditions without anything mechanical occurring.
Some fuses are resettable. They are called self-resetting fuses. They use a thermoplastic conductive element called a Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient thermostat. It works by impeding the circuit in the process of an over current condition and increases the resistance of the device. When resetting occurs, the current will be removed until the device is cooled and then it will revert back to the low resistance. It is common to see resetting fuses in applications for computer motherboards, aerospace, and nuclear settings.
Thermal fuses are another type of fuse found in consumer electronics. This type of fuse is found in things like hair dryers and coffee makers. Thermal fuses are also found in consumer electronic devices that use transformers for power. Thermal fuses contain a temperature sensitive alloy to provide protection from too hot of temperatures by allowing the circuit to be broken.
There are many different types of electrical fuses used for homes and other types of electronics. Fuses are considered to be safe because of the protective mechanisms integrated within. Fuses are found as an option for electrical panels and are considered safer, cheaper, and require less maintenance than panels that use breakers for operation.
