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Fuses
L.O.:
What do we use fuses and circuit
breakers for?
How to use the correct fuse

Fuse
Fuse

Fuses
Fuses&&Circuit
CircuitBreakers
Breakers

1. A fault in an appliance can cause the

current to be too great and can lead to
the wire overheating and possibly
causing a fire.
2. A fuse is designed to melt if the
current through a circuit is too high,
thereby breaking the circuit
3. The fuse should be just higher than the
normal working current
4. A circuit breaker can be reset rather
than replaced

Fuses
Fuses

Earth
Earthwire
wire

1. If an appliance has a metal case it

needs to be earthed.
2. A fault could cause the live wire to
touch the metal case. If the appliance
is earthed a large current flows down
the earth wire and melts the fuse. If the
appliance was not earthed there would
be a risk of electrocution.

Earth
Earthwire
wire

An
Anelectrical
electricalfault
fault(1)
(1)

An
Anelectrical
electricalfault
fault(2)
(2)

Fuses in plugs are made in standard ratings.

The most common are 3A, 5A and 13A. The
fuse should be rated at a slightly higher
current than the device needs
if the device works at 3A, use a 5A fuse
if the device works at 10A, use a 13A fuse

A circuit breaker is an electromagnetic

switch that opens and cuts the current off
if too much current passes through it.

Fuses II
For the following devices choose fuses from 3A, 5A and
13A.

Operating
Current

Fuse

2.1A
11.2A
4.7A
6.0A
4.5A
8.2A

3.0A
13.0A
5.0A
13.0A
5.0A
13.0A

Workbook page 93

Fuses
L.O.:
What do we use fuses and circuit
breakers for?
How to use the correct fuse