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Introduction to Circuit Protection

Fuseology

Fuse Facts and Fuse Selection Guide

DERIVATION OF NOMINAL MELTING I2t: Laboratory tests are procedure is to assure that the heat created has insufficient time to
conducted on each fuse design to determine the amount of energy thermally conduct away from the fuse element. That is, all of the heat
required to melt the fusing element. This energy is described as nominal energy (I2t) is used, to cause melting. Once the measurements of current
melting I2t and is expressed as “Ampere Squared Seconds” (A2 Sec.). A (I) and time (t) are determined, it is a simple matter to calculate melting
pulse of current is applied to the fuse, and a time measurement is taken I2t. When the melting phase reaches completion, an electrical arc occurs
for melting to occur. If melting does not occur within a short duration of immediately prior to the “opening” of the fuse element. Clearing
about 8 milliseconds (0.008 seconds) or less, the level of pulse current is I2t = Melting I2t + arcing I2t. The nominal I2t values given in this publication
increased. This test procedure is repeated until melting of the fuse pertain to the melting phase portion of the “clearing” or “opening”.
element is confined to within about 8 milliseconds. The purpose of this

FUSE SELECTION GUIDE

The application guidelines and product data in this guide are intended to provide technical information that will help with application design. Since
these are only a few of the contributing parameters, application testing is strongly recommended and should be used to verify performance in the
circuit/application.

Many of the factors involved with fuse selection are listed below: CHART SHOWING EFFECT OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURE ON
CURRENT-CARRYING CAPACITY (TYPICAL)
Selection Factors
1. Normal operating current KEY TO CHART:
2. Application voltage (AC or DC) Curve A: Thin-Film Fuses and 313 Series (.010 to .150A)
3. Ambient temperature Curve B: Very Fast-Acting, Fast-Acting, and Spiral Wound Slo-Blo® Fuses
Curve C: Resettable PTC’s
4. Overload current and length of time in which the fuse must open.
5. Maximum available fault current C
6. Pulses, Surge Currents, Inrush Currents, Start-up Currents, and 140
Circuit Transients
7. Physical size limitations, such as length, diameter, or height 120
A
PERCENT OF RATING*

8. Agency Approvals required, such as UL, CSA, VDE, METI, MITI B

100
or Military B
9. Considerations: mounting type/form factor, ease of removal, axial
80
leads, visual indication, etc.
10. Fuseholder features: clips, mounting block, panel mount, p.c. board A
60
mount, R.F.I. shielded, etc.
25°C
NORMAL OPERATING CURRENT: The current rating of a fuse is 40
C
typically derated 25% for operation at 25°C to avoid nuisance blowing.
For example, a fuse with a current rating of 10A is not usually recom- 20
mended for operation at more than 7.5A in a 25°C ambient. For -60°C -40°C -20°C 0°C 20°C 40°C 60°C 80°C 100°C 120°C
additional details, see RERATING in the previous section and -76°F -40°F -4°F 32°F 68°F 104°F 140°F 176°F 212°F 248°F
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE below. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

VOLTAGE: The voltage rating of the fuse must be equal to, or *Ambient temperature effects are in addition to the normal rerating,
greater than, the available circuit voltage. For exceptions, see see example.
VOLTAGE RATING.
Example: Given a normal operating current of 2.25 amperes in an
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: The current carrying capacity tests of application using a Very Fast Acting fuse at room temperature, then:
fuses are performed at 25°C and will be affected by changes in ambient
temperature. The higher the ambient temperature, the hotter the fuse will Normal Operating Current
operate, and the shorter its life will be. Conversely, operating at a lower Catalog Fuse Rating =
temperature will prolong fuse life. A fuse also runs hotter as the normal
0.75
operating current approaches or exceeds the rating of the selected fuse. or
Practical experience indicates fuses at room temperature should last 2.25 Amperes
indefinitely, if operated at no more than 75% of catalog fuse rating. = 3 Amp Fuse (at 25°C)
0.75

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