Question

Fuse wire is a

• A. tin-lead alloy
• B. copper-lead alloy
• C. tin-copper alloy
• D. silver-lead alloy

Answer 1

The correct option is A tin-lead alloy

Fuse wire is made of a tin-lead alloy and not copper because of the following reasons:

1. They have high resistance due to high resistance the wire heats up quickly, when large current flows.

Heating power of wire $P=i^{2}R$

2. They have low melting point which melts and breaks off the circuit if the current is larger than the safety limit.

In Fuse wire a copper wire can not be used because it has a high melting point. Copper wire will not melt easily when a high electric current passes through it and may harm the electrical appliances attached to it.