What Are The Differences Between Fuses and Circuit Breakers

When installing an electrical system and wiring within a building or apparatus, the implementation of circuit protection is crucial for the safety of appliances and individuals. This is because electricity is extremely volatile, and it can damage sensitive components and present a danger to others if left unchecked. Electronic fuses and circuit breakers are electrical protection devices that are commonly used for electronic circuits of all types, interrupting the flow of electricity as needed to prevent dangerous overloads.

While both components have similar roles that they serve for electronics, each utilizes a distinct method of preventing overloads. Fuses are a metal component that may be installed within residential and commercial applications, and their design and capabilities may vary depending on the amount of electricity that is present within the system. Typical fuses will consist of either a metal wire or a filament that has been encapsulated within a casing made from glass or ceramic. Fuses are generally attached to the wiring itself within a central fuse box, and electricity passes through it unobstructed during normal operation. If there is an overload that causes a surge in the system, the heat of the electricity will melt the fuse’s wire, immediately stopping the flow of electricity through the component.

With this method of electrical protection, electricity can quickly be stopped before significant damage occurs to appliances. As the wire of the fuse has to melt for stopping overloads, fuses are a single use component that must be replaced once used. Depending on the needs of the electrical circuit, a number of electronic fuses may be chosen from, each providing their own ratings to accommodate various capacities of electricity. To best protect a system from damage, a fuse should be chosen that has a rating that slightly exceeds the normal operating current of the circuit, ensuring that it can quickly act when needed.

Circuit breakers, on the other hand, break unsafe levels of currents through switching. With an electromagnet or a bi-metal strip, electrical current passes through the circuit breaker during standard operation. During the event of an overload, a circuit breaker with an electromagnet will begin to produce a magnetic force, causing a lever to actuate in order to break the circuit. With a bi-metal strip, electricity causes a bend which also throws the switch. In both cases, circuit breakers can simply be switched back on, allowing for the electrical circuit to reconnect for standard operation. Circuit breakers may be found in a number of applications, ranging from small residential properties to large electronic facilities.

As compared to circuit breakers, fuses are fairly inexpensive, and they are quick to react to overloads which benefit highly sensitive components. With a blown fuse, finding the area where an issue is occurring can be easy, and one should always replace them with a fuse that provides the correct rating. Nevertheless, fuses require constant replacement as they are used, and this may prove detrimental in some cases. With a circuit breaker, replacement is often not necessary, but can come about occasionally. In general, circuit breakers are more expensive, and their operation is slower. As such, some appliances that are sensitive may be damaged before the circuit breaker can act.

Depending on the application, both circuit breakers and fuses may be used to protect electronics and individuals, remaining highly beneficial for any electronic circuit. When you are in need of electronic fuses and circuit breakers that you can rely on, look no further than NSN Parts Now. As a premier online supplier, we can connect you to the parts you need with rapid lead-times and competitive pricing. Get started today and see how we can serve as your strategic sourcing partner.


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