Electrical systems are complex. Many different components must work together to ensure that each circuit is operating safely. Fuses are one of these components.

Fuses are designed to prevent the circuit from experiencing a dangerous electrical overload. When a surge of electricity that exceeds the rating of the fuse passes through it, the fuse will melt. This interrupts the circuit and stops the electrical current before it reaches the end of the circuit.

High voltage fuses are rated to handle a significant amount of electricity due to unique design characteristics.

Length

A high voltage fuse will typically be longer than any other type of fuse. The additional length is needed to successfully bring the strong electrical currents that high voltage fuses regulate to a complete stop.

A strong electrical current can create an arc between the two ends of a shorter fuse. This will allow the circuit to remain functional, putting your equipment at risk. An arc is incapable of bypassing a longer fuse, making length a critical design element in fuses used to regulate high electrical voltages.

Insulating Tube

High voltage fuses are almost always encased within an insulating tube. This tube offers protection against a potential explosion.

If the electrical current passing through the fuse is strong enough, the melting process will occur extremely fast. The wire inside the fuse will become vaporized. This causes the release of gases that lead to an explosion.

An insulating tube helps to contain volatile gases to ensure that the fuse will not explode when an abnormally strong current of electricity passes through it.

Refractory Material

The presence of refractory material is another design element that is unique to high voltage fuses. Some common refractory materials can include silica, alumina, or zirconia. Refractory materials are designed to utilize the excess energy of the arc to guarantee that no dangerous currents pass through a blown fuse.

The fusing of the refractory material saps energy from the arc, leaving the circuit protected against any accidental electrical surges that might damage the equipment connected to the circuit itself.

Understanding how high voltage fuses are designed allows you to see the value in having these types of fuses installed in circuits that routinely handle strong electrical currents. Without a high voltage fuse, any equipment that you connect to a circuit could be at risk of having an electrical surge cause significant and irreparable damage at any time.

To learn more, contact a local fuse supplier like DENCO Fuses, Inc.