Fuses and Circuit Breakers: Which Should You Choose?
When operating with sensitive electronics or when near electrical appliances, it is highly important that there are electrical protection devices in place to mitigate the risk that volatile electricity presents. In the event that an overload occurs, electrical components can be damaged, individuals can be harmed, and fires may even start from unsafe surges. As such, devices known as fuses and circuit breakers are implemented for the electrical circuits of commercial buildings, homes, and even aircraft. To understand their individual uses and advantages as compared to one another, it is first best to be aware of what each is.
Fuses are electrical safety devices that are implemented within a circuit to provide overcurrent protection, and they often come in the form of a metal wire or strip that allows for current to pass through it. To prevent overloads, the wires or strips of the fuses are specifically designed to melt at specific current values, ensuring that the current is interrupted immediately. Due to their method of operation as a sacrificial device, a fuse must be replaced every time that it melts.
With a circuit breaker, a similar result is achieved with stopping excess current, though the procedure differs. Despite there being varying types of circuit breakers that can accommodate a wide range of voltages and applications, many follow similar operations. In general, the circuit breaker will first detect a fault condition through magnetism, heating, or other conditions detectable by a relay. Once a fault has been identified, various methods may be used to quickly separate contacts to interrupt the flow of electricity. To quench any resulting arc, many circuit breakers will utilize cooling, lengthening, division, or other methods. Once the fault condition has fully been cleared and there is no hazard present, the circuit breaker can be closed again to continue the flow of electricity through the circuit.
Due to their differing methods of operation, there are certain characteristics of each component that can make them beneficial for a given application. With a fuse, the interruption of current is much quicker, thus further protecting electronic components from damage. Additionally, fuses can have low breaking capacities and are very low in cost. Despite this, they are a one-time use piece and cannot give any indication of an overload event.
With a circuit breaker, on the other hand, the interruption process is often indicated and is carried out as soon as a fault is detected by relays. Although operating times can be higher than a fuse, the amount of time between detection and action often sits between 0.02 and 0.05 seconds. As compared to fuses, circuit breakers are higher in cost, though allow for resetting so that they may be used multiple times without the need of replacement. Depending on the circuit breaker in question, resetting the device may either require manual operation or may be automatic.
Due to the numerous advantages that circuit breakers pose and their lack of constant replacement, such devices are most widely used within homes and buildings. Fuses, on the other hand, are commonly seen in vehicles and appliances in which simplicity is an important need. For aircraft, however, circuit breakers tend to serve as the most popular method of protecting aircraft components and power devices despite fuse popularity within vehicles. Regardless of which type is featured in a given circuit, the two device types should never be interchanged for the same application due to their differing operations and capabilities.
For reliable fuses and circuit breakers that cater to a wide range of voltages and applications, AOG Purchasing is your sourcing solution with our unrivaled inventory. With items sourced from top global manufacturers, we ensure competitive pricing and lead-times for your time and cost savings. When you are ready to begin the procurement process for your operational needs, fill out and submit an Instant RFQ form as provided on our website and a dedicated account manager will be in contact with you in 15 minutes or less.
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