Question

What are the characteristic properties of a fuse wire? Name the material from which it is made.

Answer 1

Electrical fuse:-

1. Fuse wire is generally used to break the circuit when extensive currents are flown in the circuit and thus protecting the circuit from breakdown.
2. Fuse is always connected in series with the electronic meter so that the maximum amount of current is flowing with the fuse.
3. It is used to protect electrical equipment such as T.V, refrigerators, fans, cooler etc.

Characteristic properties of a fuse wire:-

1. Low melting point – The melting point of the fuse wire must be low so that during fault or during the flow of heavy current it melts quickly.
2. Low ohmic loss – Fuse wire must have very low ohmic loss so that there is no power loss in the fuse wire, as fuse wire is of no use it is only used for protection, that’s why we have to use copper wire as a material of fuse wire as the resistivity of the copper is very low so the ohmic loss is low.
3. High conductivity (or low resistivity) – Fuse wires must have high conductivity so that a maximum amount of current is flowing through them.