0
Is a 20 amp or 30 amp fuse better protection against high current?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
The problem with the question is the part not stated.
What is the amprage rating of the equipment and the branch wiring that was installed to provide the necessary power?
In other words, if the equipment is meant to draw 25 amps and the wire size is #10 gage, then by all means a 30 amp fuse is better, though if you are talking fuses and not breakers, then by all means install a 25 amp fuse.
However, if the wire size is #12 gage and the unit only draws 15 amps, putting a 30 amp fuse in could cause a total melt down of the system and the wiring and eventually could cause a fire. This is the reason why most insurance companies would rather see breakers installed then the removable fuses.
A moran who is tired of changing fuses because they keep blowing will rationalize that putting in a larger amprage fuse will cause them less work, but they fail to think about the safety aspect of their action. They are the ones we see on the late night news watching their homes burn to the ground and not understanding why their toaster oven went on the blink and caused this and they will, of course, have to sue this toaster oven company because it was "their" fault. A larger fuse should NEVER be installed on a system that demands a lower amprage fuse or breaker if the correct size devices are not in place.
Please trust me, there is a lot more to your question then which size fuse is better, and hopefully, for safety reasons, always lean towards the smaller size fuse unless you know better!
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why are there fuses in plugs?
They protect the rest of the circuit when the current goes to high, usually, because of a short circuitshort circuit means a very low resistance is connecting the source terminalsthen according to ohm's law,Current = Voltage / ResistanceI = V/Ras R -> 0I -> Infinityassuming a fuse of 10A, when a short circuit occur, the current starts getting highonce it passes the 10A limit of the fuse, the circuit gets disconnected from the sourceA Fuse is an electrical element used in electrical circuits to give protection to the systems against high current flow.It prevents the hazardious conditions as a safety device.
What is the advantage of an electric fuse in an electric circuit?
A fuse is intended to be a weak link of thin wire that goes in series with a circuit. If the current becomes too high for any reason, the fuse wire melts and cuts off the supply. Without a fuse, the circuit will heat up until something else melts, which might cause a fire. So fuses are necessary to prevent electrical fires.
Is a circuit Protection device made from special metals that shut off a switch if too much current flows through a circuit and there is a risk of overloading or overheating the circuit?
The (only) protection device which works like that is a fuse. It is simply a short length of metal which melts when too much current flows through it.
Can you use a 15 amp 115 volt device in standard outlet?
The outlet is connected to and protected by a breaker or fuse in a main electric panel. The outlet should be sized to the protection. Usually utility outlets in a residence are either 15 A or 20 A. If there are multiple outlets on a circuit then the total current cannot exceed the protection value of the breaker or fuse.
How do you tell if a wire is shorted out?
If by meaning wire as a circuit, when turning on the circuit the fuse will blow the circuit open, or if the protection is a breaker, the breaker will trip. This is all on the conjecture that there is a return path for the current to flow. This is the main reason for ground wires on all equipment, to provide a return path for the current to flow back to the source.
A fuse has low melting point why?
This is necessary because a fuse is a protection against an overcurrent; excessive current produce melting.
What can fuses not provide protection against?
Fuses do not provide protection against ground faults. Protection against a ground fault can be provided by breakers. If a fuse blows, it has to be replaced. If a breaker is tripped to off due to a surge in electrical current, the breaker can be reset.
What is the protection of over current to a diode?
we use fuse only .thanks
Why shouldn't you put a penny under a burned-out-fuse?
The penny does not provide the over current protection that the fuse provides.
The first measure you should take to help prevent damage against electrical problems is to do what to the circuit?
Protect the circuit with an OCPD, an over current protection device, such as a circuit breaker or fuse.
What is meant by the term fusing factor?
Fusing factor is the ratio of a fuse's minimum fusing current (the smallest current that will cause the fuse to melt) and the nominal rated current (usually the number in Amps marked on the fuse body).
What does OPD mean in electric terms?
'Overcurrent protection devices' are used to protect conductors from excessive current flow... a fuse
Will maximum current flow through 0 ohms of resistance?
In theory, you would get infinite current. But, of course, in practise, this cannot happen, as any large current would cause severe damage to the source supplying that current, not to mention the conductors involved. Protection against such currents would be provided by a fuse or circuit breaker.
Discuss the special feature for selecting the fuse rating for the protection of motor?
The starting current of a motor is usually much higher than the normal current of that motor's full load condition. So for the protection purpose, in case of selecting fuse, the fuse has to be rated 2-3 times the full load of the motor so it does not blow on start. An induction motor will have a starting current of around 6 times FLC.
Why are there fuses in plugs?
They protect the rest of the circuit when the current goes to high, usually, because of a short circuitshort circuit means a very low resistance is connecting the source terminalsthen according to ohm's law,Current = Voltage / ResistanceI = V/Ras R -> 0I -> Infinityassuming a fuse of 10A, when a short circuit occur, the current starts getting highonce it passes the 10A limit of the fuse, the circuit gets disconnected from the sourceA Fuse is an electrical element used in electrical circuits to give protection to the systems against high current flow.It prevents the hazardious conditions as a safety device.
What are electrical fuses?
Safety devices used in electrical circuits.AnswerA fuse is an overcurrent protection device, and will operate in the event of a sustained overload current or a short-circuit current.
Can you use a glass fuse in place of a ceramic fuse assuming it's of the same current rating?
Yes as long as they are the same rating & for the purpose of overcurrent protection (short circuit, overload, device failure)... But ceramic fuse are also called "thermal fuse" which are commonly used in some applications (appliances) with heating element as "overheat protection"... In my own honest opinion, replacing the thermal fuse with a glass fuse would be quite risky... Put a little discretion in such action or better yet ask opinions of someone who are adept & experienced in such situation...
