As far as electrical systems and modern technologies go, fuses can seem like rather small components in comparison. Nonetheless, as you are aware, these small parts actually play an enormous role in a number of systems. This is why you need to be quite so careful when choosing fuses. Making the wrong decision could have terrible results including blown fuses and vaporization of insulation and wiring. To avoid such a scenario, you should follow the guidelines provided in the section below:
Choose High-Quality Brands
Perhaps the first decision that you will have to make is regarding the brand of the fuse. At this point, it is imperative that you choose a renowned manufacturer such as SIBA to ensure the highest level of quality. On the surface, the brand may not seem to matter all that much but if you think this, you would be mistaken. Understand, the best brands utilise the latest technology ensuring that you are buying the safest option possible. On top of this, fuses from the best brands undergo exhaustive testing so that you can be certain that it will be able to withstand the rigorous conditions of an industrial setting or plant.
Determine the Fuse Type
When figuring out what fuse type is best, you will need to consider the requirements of your control circuit. It is based on these needs that you will then go onto to choose a fuse type that is relevant. For instance, if inductive loads are the main feature of the control circuit, then you will need a time-delay fuse. On the other hand, if you need a fuse for resistive loads, then you will require a fast-acting one.
Match the Voltage Rating
After this, it is a matter of considering the voltage of the circuit. This is because the fuse that you are selecting will either need to match or exceed the voltage of the circuit. If it is lower, there could be a potential for fires or arcing energy which can cause a fire in other panels. The good news is that the distinction between the voltage ratings should be fairly simple. This is because, to avoid confusion, most of the fuses come in different sizes. Still, it is imperative that you know exactly what voltage rating you need to match.
Equal the Amperage Rating
You will also need to make certain that the amperage rating of the fuse is as close as possible to that of the full-load current of the circuit. This is due to the fact that undersized fuses can blow and oversized fuses may not provide enough protection. Thus, focus on finding a viable match.
Opt for a High Interrupt Capacity
As you are selecting a fuse for industrial purposes, you should opt for ones that have very high interrupt capacities. For instance, it is not uncommon to find ones that can have capacities as high as 200,000A. Of course, in the end, you need to find one that suits your facilities available fault current.
These are all of the guidelines that you need to understand if you want to choose a high-quality, proficient fuse that will cover a wide variety of industry performances.
