Littelfuse Fuses
Littelfuse industrial fuses, power fuses, automotive fuses, axial fuses, cartridge fuses, surface mount fuses, specialty fuses, and medium voltage fuses provide overcurrent protection and regulate current flow in practically every device, machine, and electrical system. When it comes to automotive, industrial, or consumer electronics, Littelfuse fuses might be found providing overcurrent protection in simple or complex circuits. With precise ratings and advanced engineering, they are applied where safety and reliability are paramount.
The Littelfuse fuses part numbering system makes it easy to select the right fuse for just about any application. It is detailed and straightforward enough that we consider it a best practice for our industry to follow when defining and describing our products to ensure user understanding. The parameters it encompasses—like rating, type, and even design—are essential for the accurate identification of not only automotive fuses but also fuse links and medium-voltage fuses. The automotive fuses and links we offer comply with National Automotive Specifications and International standards (ISO), and the medium-voltage fuses are defined by IEC standards. When it comes to overcurrent protection for high-power systems, the specialty fuses and surface-mount options are adequate safeguards against the components they protect—like motors and transformers.
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More Information about Littelfuse Fuses
Littelfuse fuses also incorporate key features like pre-arcing time limits to protect devices before any damage can occur, ensuring precision and efficiency when it comes to overcurrent protection. Their solutions are so diverse and so applicable that they seem relevant to just about any situation one might find in electrical circuits. Littelfuse fuses are designed to protect virtually any device or assembly unit, offering specialized solutions such as automotive fuse link selection to ensure optimal performance and compatibility in various applications.
Breakers vs Fuses
Fuses
Fuses are safety devices that are intended to provide protection to both equipment and people in the event of a power surge or an overcurrent situation. A fuse can provide this protection by using a small piece of wire that is sacrificial, and is intended to burn up when too much current is passed through it. When this happens, the fuse eliminates the flow of electricity in that circuit until it is replaced. The size and type of wire that is used in the fuse will dictate how much current can pass through that individual fuse. So the main thing to remember is, when a fuse blows, it must be replaced and cannot be reused.
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are intended to be reused after they are “tripped” during a power surge or an overcurrent situation. Much like fuses, circuit breakers are designed to trip at a certain current level. This is intended to protect both equipment and anyone in the area of that particular circuit. Circuit breakers can be found in just about any variation from single phase, low current applications to three phase, and high current applications.
As a general rule: fuses are more simplistic and reliable. They cost less initially and are better suited for individual circuit protection. However, they can create more cost over time with each use and may create hazards due to the exposed connection points. Whereas circuit breakers offer better branch circuit protection and do not need to be replaced after each use. They are more expensive initially and, because of their complexity, are more prone to failure over time.