CHAPTER THIRTEEN

FUSES AND FUSE CO-ORDINATION

1.0

FUSES

1.1

Introduction
Fuses are used in electric power systems, devices or equipment for the
protection of circuits.
It is defined as an over-current device with a circuit opening
component heated and destroyed by `excessive' current passing
through it.

The fuse should be able to carry normal current

continuously - subject to its nominal rating - without deterioration and

when subjected to excessive current, it should open the circuit reliably
and quickly.
1.2

Types of Fuses
There are many types of fuses in use; they are normally classified
according to their application as illustrated in the figure below.

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FUSES

POWER FUSES

REPEATER

MISCELLANEOUS
FUSES

HIGH RUPTURING
CAPACITY

EXPULSION

SINGLE SHOT

SERVICE FUSES

LIQUID

BORIC ACID

QUARTZ

The focus in this lecture is on Power Fuses which find application in

NEPA power system network.
1.3

Power Fuses
Power fuses consist of three major components:

a) Fuse Mounting or Support

b) Fuse Holder
c) Fuse Link
1.31 The Fuse Mounting
It is used to terminate the conductors and hold the Fuse Holder. The
Mounting consists of a base on which is mounted two insulators of the
correct voltage rating.

The jaw into which the fuse holder fits is

mounted on one insulator. The hinge is mounted on the other. The

size and design of the jaws are primarily dependent on the normal
current carrying capacity rating of the fuse. The distance between the
two insulators is a function of the voltage rating of the fuse.

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1.32 Fuse Holder

A Fuse Holder is an assembly of a fuse tube together with the parts
required to enclose and provide means of making contact between the
link and the fuse clips. The Holder usually consists of a tube made of
fibre, porcelain or glass with conducting ferrules on each end and with
means to connect the link to the ferrules. The tube may be empty or
filled with a liquid or a solid.
The ability to interrupt large current safely is dependent on the design
of the Holder.
1.33 Fuse Link
Fuse links abound in different forms depending on the design.

The

type of link used in the Fuse Holder described above consists of two
current

carrying

conductors

connected

together

by

current

responsive element. This element consists of a metal alloy with a low

melting temperature. When the current carried by the fuse exceeds a
predetermined value, the element melts to break the circuits.

The

more current carried by the element, the faster it melts.

The time required to melt the fusible link depends on:
a) The magnitude of the current.
b) The electrical properties of the fusible element.
The time required to melt the fuse is referred to as the MELTING TIME.

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When the element separates into two places, an arc tends to be

formed which is extinguished very quickly. The time taken to do this is
known as ARCING TIME.
TOTAL CLEARING TIME is the sum of the melting time and the arcing
time.
Melting time

i2

where:

i - the current

Values of melting time for fuse of the same type and various current
ratings are plotted on log-log paper. These values must be known for
the fuses to enable the user obtain co-ordination.
Fuse links are divided into two types:
1) Fast operating link (K type)
2) Slow operating link (T type)
1.4

Expulsion Fuse
This is one classification of Power Fuses which is commonly used in
power system distribution networks. There are two types of Expulsion
Fuses.

We have the DROP-OUT and NON DROP-OUT types.

The

former has its fuse Holder kept closed by a positive latch. When the
link blows, the latch collapses and the holder drops out.
The Non Drop-out type of fuse has its two ends fixed to the fuse
Mounting.
2.0

FUSE CO-ORDINATION

2.1

Introduction

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In any electricity supply agency such as NEPA, power and distribution

fuses are used primarily for protection against short circuits on lines or
faults in equipment. The object is to remove faulted equipment from
service reliably and as fast as is necessary to prevent damage while
also ensuring system security. Much in the same fashion as in Relay
Co-ordination, circuits and equipment must be studied first for proper
fuse selection and co-ordination.
2.2

Illustration
Let us consider a simple distribution system of the form given below.

First, a study must be made of the system being protected. A single

line diagram is made and values of fault current calculated for each
point where fuses are located as well as the load expected at each of
these points.

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The values of fault current and load current are calculated for points G,
A, B, C, D and E as well as the fault current at the end of all the branch
circuits.
Suppose a fault occurs at point F; for proper co-ordination, the fuse at
D should blow before the fuse at A or G is damaged. Fuse D is referred
to as the protecting link as far as the branch D is concerned and A is
called the protected link. Similarly, for a fault occurring between A and
B, fuse A is the protecting link and fuse G the protected link.
2.3

Method of Determining Coordinated Fusing

After the short circuit values and load values at the various points on
the foregoing diagram have been arrived at, pre-determined fuse curve
tables are consulted. The remote end fuses are established first, and
then the links calculated from the end of the line to the transformer in
logical sequence. In
calculating for these links, the following concepts should be noted:

1) Minimum Melting Time

Most manufacturers do supply time current curves of their fuse links
showing the minimum melting time of their links without taking into
account several operating conditions.

Improved versions of these

curves are now readily available; they are referred to as FUSE LINK
DAMAGE CURVES.

These take into account such variables as pre-

loading, ambient temperature and surge capacity.

2) Total Clearing Time

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The total clearing time curves are made up of three components, viz:
a) Manufacturer's minimum melting time current curves.
b) Manufacturer's tolerance allowance curve.
c) Manufacturer's arcing time allowance curve
Having obtained these curves, the various points to be coordinated are
studied.

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