--- title: Design Strategies with Fuses description: Circuit protection is a critical design consideration to protect your employees from hazardous shock—Learn more about fuses as a circuit protection option. image: https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_November2017/images/InfoPower%20Blog/fuses-prple700x367.jpg --- [![Interpower Facebook](https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_March2018/Images/facebook-button-black.png "Interpower Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/interpowercorporation) [![Interpower LinkedIn](https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_March2018/Images/linkedin-button-black.png "Interpower LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/interpower-corporation) [![Interpower Twitter](https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_March2018/Images/twitter-button-black.png "Interpower Twitter")](https://twitter.com/interpowergroup) **PHONE:U.S.** [(641) 673-5000 |](tel:6416735000) **Toll Free:** [(800) 662-2290 |](tel:8006622290) **UK** [+44 (0)1908 295300 |](tel:+4401908295300) **Freephone:**[00800 5566 5566](tel:0080055665566) [![Interpower](https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_March2018/Images/IC-white-site-heading.png "Interpower") ![Interpower](https://blog.interpower.com/hubfs/Interpower_March2018/Images/mobile-logo.png "Interpower")](http://interpower.com) - 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[Why observe international product safety requirements?](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/Why-Observe-International-Product-Safety-Requirements.html) - [Conforming to Local Safety Requirements](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/Conforming-to-Local-Safety-Requirements.html) - [What standards must electronic or electrical equipment meet?](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/What-Standards-Must-Electronic-or-Electrical-Equipment-Meet.html) - [European & International Standards Writing Agencies](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/european-international-standards-writing-agencies.html) - [What is the CE Marking?](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/What-is-the-CE-Marking.html) - [What is the ENEC Mark?](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/What-is-the-ENEC-Mark.html) - [Who enforces international safety standards?](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/designing-for-export/who-enforces-international-safety-standards.html) - 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[Cord Anchorage Torque Twist Test](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/QualityTopics/Cord-Anchorage-Torque-Twist-Test-Video.html) - [Crimp Cross Section and Pull Test](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/QualityTopics/Crimp-Cross-Section-and-Pull-Test.html) - [Insertion-withdrawal Testing](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/QualityTopics/InsertionWithdrawal-Testing.html) - [Temperature Rise Testing](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/QualityTopics/Temperature-Rise-Testing.html) - [Vertical Flame Test](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/QualityTopics/Vertical-Flame-Test.html) - [In-depth Product Line Information](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/Indepth-Product-Line-Information.html) - [Power Cords and Cord Sets](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/more-information-on-power-cords-and-cord-sets.html) - [Hospital-Grade Products](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-info-on-HospitalGrade-Products.html) - [Heat Shrink Tubing](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/more-information-on-heat-shrink-tubing.html) - [Plugs and Sockets](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-info-on-Plugs-and-Sockets.html) - [High Power Pin & Sleeve Devices](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-Information-on-High-Power-Pin-and-Sleeve-Devices.html) - [Connector Locks](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-information-on-Connector-Locks.html) - [Cable](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-Information-on-Cable.html) - [Odd Sizes in AWG Flexible Cable](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/odd-sizes-in-AWG-flexible-cable.html) - [Strain Reliefs](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-Information-on-Strain-Reliefs-Cable-Glands.html) - [Terminal Blocks](http://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-Information-on-Terminal-Blocks.html) - 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[Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![fuses-prple700x367](https://blog.interpower.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Interpower_November2017/images/InfoPower%20Blog/fuses-prple700x367.jpg?width=599&name=fuses-prple700x367.jpg) When designing a new electrical or electronic equipment product, an important aspect of your design will be how to implement circuit protection. How do you ensure the safety of both the equipment and the equipment operator in the event of a circuit overload? “The primary reason for circuit protection is to protect the end user from harm,” said Dan Ford, Technical Support Specialist at Interpower. “In the event a fault condition occurs, circuit protection can save expensive equipment housed with highly sensitive microprocessors prone to overcurrent faults.” Simply defined, a fault condition occurs when equipment draws too much current into the system. This can cause equipment failure and shock hazards to the end user. ## Basic Fuse & Circuit Breaker Differences Typically, circuitry in equipment is protected by one of two devices: fuses or circuit breakers. Circuit breakers provide automatic switches that prohibit the flow of electricity when rapidly overloaded. Fuses area safety devices protecting circuitry from excessive voltage. A circuit breaker is an automatic switch that prohibits the flow of electric current when rapidly overloaded or unusually stressed. Circuit breakers only protect against low-level faults and are not meant to clear faults with high-voltage levels. A circuit breaker is not a surge suppressor for catastrophic events, such as lightning strikes or high-voltage line shorts. A fuse is a replaceable circuit protection device that provides protection to both the equipment and the equipment operator in the event of a circuit overload. A typical fuse is made with a thin metal strip or filament sheathed in a glass or ceramic enclosure. The metal strip is attached on each end to a separate terminals on the outside of the fuse. These external terminals mate with matching terminals attached to the protected circuit. Any current, or flow of electricity, that moves through the circuit flows through the metal inside the fuse. The metal strip will melt when the current exceeds the amount that the fuse is designed to withstand, opening the circuit path, and disconnecting the equipment from the power source. When a traditional fuse disconnects (or “blows”) it must be removed and replaced with a new fuse. If choosing to include a fuse as the circuit protection in the design, there are various aspects to consider. Among them are fuse size, equipment market, and a variety of design strategies. ## Fuse Size and the Equipment Market Predominately, there are two standard fuse sizes which are used worldwide: the internationally accepted 5 x 20 mm fuse, and North America’s ¼˝ x 1¼˝ fuse. However, you will find both of these fuses used on multiple continents. “Where your equipment will be marketed plays an important role in which of these fuses should be selected,” Ford said. “If marketing mainly in North America, the designer may choose the common ¼˝ x 1¼˝ fuse since your customer base may already use this fuse. Products made strictly for markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., would likely utilize the 5 x 20 mm fuse as this size is readily available.” If the equipment will be marketed both in and outside North American markets, then the 5 x 20 mm fuse is recommended. However, if marketing globally, it may be in your best interest to carry a combination of the ¼˝ x 1¼˝ and 5 x 20 mm fuse and their fuse holders. Though less common, the 5 x 20 mm fuse is used in North America but is not nearly as prevalent as the ¼˝ x 1¼˝. A strategy of using both common fuse sizes when marketing globally will help keep component costs down as well as overhead costs. ## Design Strategies After the two most common types of fuse sizes available to handle circuit protection, there is a wide variety to choose from, as well as different styles of fuse holders for incorporating the fuse into a circuit. Design considerations should take into account both the fuse and fuse holder together to ensure a suitable pairing is selected: - What size fuses would be most appropriate? - What are the load ratings for where the product is being used? - Does the equipment have a large in-rush at start-up? - How long can the equipment handle an overload? - Is the overload large enough to physically destroy the fuse? - Thermal considerations: - Power dissipation of the fuse link. - Ratings of the fuse holder. - Ambient temperatures inside and outside the equipment being used. - Electrical load changes. - Long operation times. - Ventilation, cooling, and heat dissipation. - Wire lengths and sizes. ## **Additional Resources** For more information, see [Fuses and Fuse Holders](https://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/in-depth-product-line-information/More-Information-on-Fuses-and-Fuseholders.html) and the [Featured Product page](https://www.interpower.com/ic/designers/featured-product/fuses-fuse-holders-featured-product.html). Interpower has same day shipping on in-stock products and a 1-week U.S. manufacturing lead-time on non-stock Interpower products. Value-added services are available. If you have questions, Interpower offers free technical support. You can check the website at www.interpower.com, e-mail Topics: [electrical safety](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/electrical-safety), [fuses](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/fuses), [product design](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/product-design) ## Stay In-The-Know with *InfoPower* The monthly *InfoPower* blogs are created to assist you in designing, building, and maintaining products for worldwide markets by providing you with information on topics relevant to power system components. ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [1-week lead-time (4)](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/1-week-lead-time) - [5-15 Sockets (1)](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/5-15-sockets) - [AC Power Source (2)](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/ac-power-source) - [Accessory Power (9)](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/accessory-power) - [Accessory Power System (4)](https://blog.interpower.com/infopower/tag/accessory-power-system) - 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