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Low-voltage disconnect switch with fuses max. 800A, 690V (photo credit: DirectIndustry.com)
Lets talk about ten important definitions that are of interest for low
voltage fuses //
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
1. Ampere rating
2. Current-limiting fuse
3. Dual-element fuse
4. I2t
5. Interrupting rating
6. Melting time
7. Peak let-through current (Ip)
8. Time delay
9. Total clearing time
10. Voltage rating
1. Ampere rating
The RMS current that the fuse can carry continuously without deterioration and
without exceeding temperature rise limits. In accordance with NEC article
210.20 a fuse (or any branch-circuit overcurrent device) should not be loaded
continuously to over 80% of its ampere rating unless the assembly, including
the fuse and enclosure, is listed for operation at 100% of its rating.
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2. Current-limiting fuse
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
3. Dual-element fuse
4. I2t
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
A measure of heat energy developed within a circuit during the fuses melting
or arcing. The sum of melting and arcing I2t is generally stated as total
clearing I2t.
5. Interrupting rating
The rating based upon the highest RMS current that the fuse is tested to
interrupt under the conditions specified.
6. Melting time
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
8. Time delay
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
For Class G, Class CC, and plug fuses, a minimum time delay of 12s on
an overload of twice the fuses ampere rating.
The total time between the beginning of the specified overcurrent and the final
interruption of the circuit, at rated voltage.
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
The RMS voltage at which the fuse is designed to operate. All low voltage
fuses will operate at any lower voltage (note that this is characterized as AC or
DC, or both).
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
Logarithmic scales are used for both the time and current axes, in order to
cover a wide range.
The characteristic represents a band of operating times for which the lower
boundary is the minimum melting time curve, above which the low voltage fuses
can be damaged. The upper boundary is the total clearing time curve, above
which the fuse will open. For a given fault current, the actual fuse opening time
will be within this band.
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
In some cases the fuse average melting time only is given. This can be
treated as the fuse opening time with a tolerance of 15%. The -15% boundary
is the minimum melting time and the +15% boundary is the total clearing time.
Note that the time-current characteristic does not extend below 0.01 seconds.
This is due to the fact that below 0.01 seconds the fuse is operating in its
current-limiting region and the fuse I2t is of increasing importance.
This principle is known as selective coordination and can be analyzed with the
use of the device time-current characteristic curves.
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
Because the time bands for the two fuses do not overlap, these are coordinated
for all operating times above 0.01 seconds.
It can also be stated that these two sets of fuses are coordinated through
approximately 4200 A, since at 4200 A Fuse A has the potential to begin
operating in its current-limiting region. Fuse B has the potential to begin
operating its current-limiting region at 1100 A. For currents above
approximately 4000 A, therefore, both sets of fuses have the potential to be
operating in the current-limiting region.
Instead, for a given fault current the minimum melting I2t for Fuse A must be
greater than the maximum clearing I2t for Fuse B. In practice, instead of
publishing I2t data fuse manufacturers typically publish ratio tables showing the
minimum ratios of fuses of a given type that will coordinate with each other.
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8/29/2017 10 Important Definitions Applied To Low Voltage Fuses | EEP
where:
The use of low voltage fuses requires a holder and a switching device in
addition to the fuses themselves. Because they are single-phase devices,
a single blown fuse from a three-phase set will cause a single-phasing
condition, which can lead to motor damage.
Also, replacement low voltage fuses must be stocked to get a circuit with a
blown fuse back on-line quickly. For these reasons, the use of low voltage fuses
in modern power systems is generally discouraged. For circuit breakers that
have a short-time rating.
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