Types of Safety Devices: 1. Fuse

Types of Safety Devices
On the basis of construction and functionality, the protection devices are distributed in groups.
The most popular types of these protection devices are given below:
1. Fuse
Fuses are the protectors. These are the safety devices which are used to protect the home
appliances like televisions, refrigerators, computers with damage by high voltage. The fuse is
made up of thin strip of metal, whenever the heavy amount of current or an excessive current
flow is there in an electrical circuit, the fuse melts and it opens the circuit and disconnects it
from the power supply.
Figure 1: Fuse Symbol
Figure 2: Fuse Circuit Dagram Types of Fuses

1.1 Rewireable Fuse
This type of fuse is also called Kit-Kat Type Fuse. Rewireable fuses are Low Voltage fuses. In
this type of fuse, the main advantage is that the fuse carrier is easier to remove without having
any electrical shock or injury. The fuse base acts as an incoming and outgoing terminal which is
made up of porcelain & fuse carrier is used to hold the fuse element which is made up of tin,
copper, aluminum, lead, etc. This is used in domestic wiring, small industries etc.
1.2 Cartridge Fuse

The cartridge type of fuses
Figure 3: Rewireable Kit-Kat Type Fuse
has entirely closed
containers and the metal contact as well. The applications of this fuse mainly include low
1
voltage (LV), high voltage (HV), and small fuses. Again, these types of fuses are classified into
two types, they are D-type and Link-type fuses.
Figure 5: Cartridge Type Fuse Figure 4: D-Type Cartridge Fuse
1.3 High Rupturing Capacity Fuse (HRC Fuse)

This type of fuse is also known as link type fuse or BS type fuse. HRC fuse or High
Rupturing Capacity Fuse is that type of fuse in which the fuse wire or element can carry short
circuit heavy current for a known time period. During this time if the fault gets removed, then it
does not blow off. Otherwise, it blows off or melts. The enclosure of HRC fuse is either of
glass or some other chemical compound. This enclosure is sufficiently airtight to avoid the
effect of the atmosphere on the fuse materials. The ceramic enclosure having metal end cap at
both heads, to which fusible silver wire gets welded. There is a space within the enclosure,
surrounding the fuse wire or fuse element, completely packed with a filling powder. This type
of fuse is reliable and has inverse time characteristic, that means if the fault current is high then
rupture time is less, and if fault current is not so high, then rupture-time is long.
Figure 7: HRC Fuse Figure 6: Construction of HRC Fuse
2. Circuit Breakers
Electrical circuit breaker is a switching device which can be operated automatically or manually
for protecting and controlling of electrical power system. In the modern
2
power system the design of the circuit breaker has changed depending upon the huge currents
and to prevent from arc while operating.
2.1 Miniature Circuit Figure 8: Circuit Breaker Breaker

(MCB)
A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) automatically switches off electrical circuit during an
abnormal condition of the network means in overload condition as well as faulty condition.
Nowadays we use an MCB in low voltage electrical network instead of a fuse. The fuse may not
sense it but the miniature circuit breaker does it in a more reliable way. MCB is much more
sensitive to overcurrent than fuse.
Figure 9: Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

2.2 Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker
(ELCB)
An ECLB is one kind of safety device used for installing an electrical device with high earth
impedance to avoid shock. These devices identify small stray voltages of the electrical device
on the metal enclosures and intrude the circuit if a dangerous voltage is identified. The main
purpose of Earth leakage circuit breaker (ECLB) is to stop damage to humans & animals due to
electric shock.
3. Earthing Figure 10: Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

The process of transferring the immediate
discharge of the electrical energy directly to the earth by the help of the low resistance wire is
3
known as the electrical earthing. The electrical earthing is done by connecting the non-current
carrying part of the equipment or neutral of supply system to the ground.
Figure 11: Electrical Systems without Earthing Figure 12: Electrical Systems with Earthing
3.1 System Earthing

In system earthing, the neutral of the system is directly connected to earth by the help of the GI
wire. The system earthing is also called the neutral earthing. Such type of earthing is mostly
provided to the system which has star winding. For example, the neutral earthing is provided in
the generator, transformer, motor etc.
3.2 Equipment Earthing
Such type of earthing is provided to the electrical equipment. The non-current carrying part of
the equipment like their metallic frame is connected to the earth by the help of the conducting
wire. If any fault occurs in the apparatus, the short-circuit current to pass the earth by the help
of wire. Thus, protect the system from damage.
References
1. https://circuitdigest.com/tutorial/fuse-types-and-working
2. https://www.elprocus.com/what-is-fuse-different-types-of-fuses-and-applications/
3. https://www.elprocus.com/working-principle-of-earth-leakage-circuit-breaker-elcb/
4. https://www.electronicsforu.com/resources/learn-electronics/miniature-circuit-board-mcb
5. https://circuitglobe.com/electrical-earthing.html

Types of Safety Devices: 1. Fuse

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Safety Devices: 1. Fuse

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Safety Devices: 1. Fuse

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Safety Devices

Figure 1: Fuse Symbol

Figure 2: Fuse Circuit Dagram Types of Fuses

1.2 Cartridge Fuse

Figure 5: Cartridge Type Fuse Figure 4: D-Type Cartridge Fuse

1.3 High Rupturing Capacity Fuse (HRC Fuse)

Figure 7: HRC Fuse Figure 6: Construction of HRC Fuse

2.1 Miniature Circuit Figure 8: Circuit Breaker Breaker

Figure 9: Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

3. Earthing Figure 10: Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

3.1 System Earthing

You might also like