What is an electrical fuse used to ________?a)interrupt excessive Res...
In electronics and electrical engineering, a fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit.
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What is an electrical fuse used to ________?a)interrupt excessive Res...
An electrical fuse is used to interrupt excessive current. When the current flowing through an electrical circuit exceeds the rated value, it can cause damage to the circuit components and pose a safety hazard. A fuse is designed to protect the circuit by breaking the electrical connection when the current exceeds a certain threshold.
Explanation:
1. Purpose of an electrical fuse:
- The primary purpose of an electrical fuse is to protect the circuit from excessive current.
- It acts as a safety device that interrupts the flow of current when it exceeds a specified limit.
2. How does a fuse work?
- A fuse consists of a thin strip or wire made of a material with a low melting point.
- When the current passing through the fuse exceeds its rated value, the wire heats up due to increased resistance.
- As the wire heats up, it reaches a temperature at which it melts and breaks the circuit, cutting off the flow of current.
3. Protection against excessive current:
- Excessive current can occur due to various reasons such as a short circuit, overloading, or a fault in the circuit.
- A short circuit happens when there is an unintended low-resistance connection between two points in the circuit.
- Overloading occurs when the circuit is forced to carry more current than its design allows.
- In both cases, the excessive current can cause damage to the circuit components, overheating, and even electrical fires.
4. Role of the fuse:
- The fuse is placed in series with the circuit components to be protected.
- It acts as the weakest link in the circuit, and when the current exceeds its rating, the fuse wire melts and breaks the circuit.
- By interrupting the excessive current, the fuse prevents further damage to the circuit components and protects against potential hazards.
Conclusion:
An electrical fuse is an essential safety device used to interrupt excessive current in a circuit. By breaking the electrical connection when the current exceeds a specified threshold, the fuse protects the circuit components and prevents potential safety hazards.
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