Fuse construction

[Stryder5]

During my incarceration at an NHS establishment for the last few days, I watched a TV program perhaps I wouldn't otherwise see.

It was concerning fake household plug top fuses, which was debatable. However I learnt something, some fuses are sand filled, supposedly to stop the ceramic ( or glass) shattering on blowing, this may also be debatable. I know that there may be a description of fast or slow blow.

The question is could there be a sonic effect of one over the other.

Don't want a debate as per cables etc.

Gary

[walpurgis]

Possibly a more logical reason for sand filling fuses my be heat dissipation, which could allow aluminium wire to be used instead of copper and save on materials costs in the long term.

[andyrlb]

I saw the program and I was shocked at the fact that even fuses are being faked .


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[struth]

They are current limiting fuses

[Beobloke]

Fuses that are sand-filled are HRC (High Rupture Capacity) types, and BS1362 mains fuses come under this heading.

The sand's purpose is to allow expansion room for the arc that is created when the fuse blows and thus let it dissipate safely. In addition, the sand melts under these high temperatures and extinguishes the arc before it can do damage. If you put a glass fuse in place and blew it under the same conditions, there's every chance it would shatter.

As to sound, it is my opinion that no fuse makes any difference to the sound of anything when used on a power rail or the mains supply. The only place a fuse might have a sonic effect is if used directly in line to protect speaker outputs. In this situation, when you start banging out dub reggae at high volumes, the fuse's resistance will change due to the heating effect of the higher currents going through it. Whether you'd notice the difference as your ears are assaulted by King Tubby at 110dB is another matter...:D

[blackmetalboon]

During my incarceration at an NHS establishment for the last few days, I watched a TV program perhaps I wouldn't otherwise see.

It was concerning fake household plug top fuses, which was debatable. However I learnt something, some fuses are sand filled, supposedly to stop the ceramic ( or glass) shattering on blowing, this may also be debatable. I know that there may be a description of fast or slow blow.

The question is could there be a sonic effect of one over the other.

Don't want a debate as per cables etc.

Gary

Plug top fuses have to conform to BS 1362, this requires the fuse to be filled with sand to control the energy when the fuse element ruptures.

Fast and Slow blow fuses are generally used internally on equipment and is normal for these not to have the sand filling, these are not available for plug top fuses.

Fake plugs, fuses and leads are a real concern. There is a guy on YouTube who has people send them in to him to dismantle and test to destruction. It’s quite interesting, if that sort of thing floats your boat!

As for plug fuse having an audible difference, let’s just say that I’m yet to be convinced that they could.

[Barry]

I'm going to have to check all my BS1362 fuses:

https://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/fake-fuses.php

[struth]

Good blog