Fusing FAQs
| Q | Should I use a circuit breaker or fuse? |
| A | We will always recommend a fuse over a circuit breaker as they are reliable (there are no moving parts) so should be considered first, and where sensitive electronic equipment is involved a circuit breaker should never be used. This is because the time taken for the circuit breaker to operate can be longer than it would take a traditional fuse to blow, potentially exposing the circuit to damaging overload currents for longer. |
| Q | What is continuous current rating? |
| A | The current that the fuse can handle indefinitely without blowing. |
| Q | What is a current curve of fuses & breakers? |
| A | All fuses and breakers have a current-time chart (also known as a current-time curve). If the current is above the continuous rating, the faster the fuse will blow. For example, if a 10A fuse is exposed to 11A then it might take many minutes for it to blow but if it is exposed to 20A then it may blow in a fraction of a second. Manufacturers show this blow time on a Current-Time chart but for the typical user it's not necessary to go into this level of technical detail |
| Q | What is the difference between slow & fast blow fuses? |
| A | Most standard fuses are considered slow blow and have a current-time chart which may go up to minutes. Fast blow fuses are used on more sensitive equipment and will have a much shorter current-time curve. This can help protect such equipment from damaging overload currents. |
Disclaimer - The information contained in these articles is provided in good faith and we do our best to ensure that it is accurate and up to date, however, we cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss arising from the use or mis-use of this information or from any errors or omissions. The installer is ultimately responsible for the safety of the system so if you are in any doubt, please consult a qualified electrician.