Glossary of Terms
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Ampere
The measurement of intensity of rate of flow of
electrons in an electric circuit. An ampere is
the amount of current that will flow through a
resistance of one ohm under a pr essure of one
volt.
Ampere Rating
The current-carrying capacity of a fuse. When
a fuse is subjected to a current above its
ampere rating, it will open the circuit after a
predetermined period of time.
Ampere Squared Seconds, l2t
The measure of heat energy developed within
a circuit during the fuse’s clearing. It can be
expressed as “melting l2t”, “arcing l2t” or the
sum of them as “Clearing l2t”. “l” stands for
effective let-through current (RMS), which is
squared, and “t” stands for time of opening, in
seconds.
Arcing Time
The amount of time from the instant the fuse
link has melted until the overcurrent is
interrupted, or cleared.
Breaking Capacity
(See Interrupting Rating)
Cartridge Fuse
A fuse consisting of a current responsive
element inside a fuse tube with terminals on
both ends.
Class CC Fuses
600V, 200,000 ampere interrupting rating,
branch circuit fuses with overall dimensions of
⁄‹Ω£™∑ ≈ 1⁄Ω™∑. Their design incorporates a
rejection feature that allows them to be
inserted into rejection fuse holders and fuse
blocks that reject all lower voltage, lower
interrupting rating ⁄‹Ω£™∑ ≈ 1⁄Ω™∑ fuses. They are
available from ⁄Ω¡º amp through 30 amps.
Class G Fuses
480V, 100,000 ampere interrupting rating
branch circuit fuses that are size rejecting to
eliminate overfusing. The fuse diameter is
⁄‹Ω£™∑ while the length varies from 1fiΩ¡§∑ to 2⁄Ω¢∑.
These are available in ratings from 1 amp
through 60 amps.
Class H Fuses
250V and 600V, 10,000 ampere interrupting
rating branch circuit fuses that may be
renewable or non-renewable. These are
available in ampere ratings of 1 amp through
600 amps.
Class J Fuses
These fuses are rated to interrupt a minimum of
200,000 amperes AC. They are labelled
as “Current-Limiting”, are rated for 600 volts AC,
and are not interchangeable with other classes.
Class K Fuses
These are fuses listed as K-1, K-5, or K-9
fuses. Each subclass has designated I2t and
lpmaximums. These are dimensionally the
same as Class H fuses, and they can have
interrupting ratings of 50,000, 100,000, or
200,000 amps. These fuses are current-
limiting. However, they are not marked
“current-limiting” on their label since they do
not have a rejection feature.
Class L Fuses
These fuses are rated for 601 through 6000
amperes, and ar e rated to interrupt a minimum
of 200,000 amperes AC. They are labelled
“
Current-Limiting” and are rated for 600 volts
AC. They are intended to be bolted into their
mountings and are not normally used in clips.
Some Class L fuses have designed in time-delay
features for all purpose use.
Class R Fuses
These are high performance fuses rated ⁄Ω¡º-
600 amps in 250 volt and 600 volt ratings. All
are marked “Current Limiting” on their label
and all have a minimum of 200,000 amp
interrupting rating. They have identical outline
dimensions with the Class H fuses but have a
rejection feature which prevents the user from
mounting a fuse of lesser capabilities (lower
interrupting capacity) when used with special
Class R Clips. Class R fuses will fit into either
rejection or non-rejection clips.
Class T Fuses
An industry class of fuses in 300 volt and 600
volt ratings from 1 amp through 1200 amps.
They are physically very small and can be
applied where space is at a pr emium. They are
fast acting and time-lag fuses, with an
interrupting rating of 200,000 amps RMS.
Classes of Fuses
The industry has developed basic physical
specifications and electrical performance
requirements for fuses with voltage ratings of
600 volts or less. These are known as
standards. If a type of fuse meets the
requirements of a standard, it can fall into that
class. Typical classes ar e K, RK1, RK5, G, L, H,
T, CC, and J.
Clearing Time
The total time between the beginning of the
overcurr ent and the final opening of the cir cuit
at rated voltage by an overcurrent protective
device. Clearing time is the total of the melting
time and the arcing time.
Current Limitation
A fuse operation relating to short circuits only.
When a fuse operates in its current-limiting
range, it will clear a short circuit in less than ⁄Ω™
cycle. Also, it will limit the instantaneous peak
let-through current to a value substantially
less than that obtainable in the same circuit if
that fuse were replaced with a solid
conductor of equal impedance.
Dual Element Fuse
Fuse with a special design that utilizes two
individual elements in series inside the fuse
tube. One element, the spring actuated
trigger assembly, operates on overloads up to
5-6 times the fuse current rating. The other
element, the short circuit section, operates on
short circuits up to their interrupting rating.
Electrical Load
That part of the electrical system which actually
uses the energy or does the work required.
Fast Acting Fuse
A fuse which opens on overload and short
circuits very quickly. This type of fuse is not
designed to withstand temporary overload
currents associated with some electrical loads.
Fuse
An overcurr ent protective device with a fusible
link that operates and opens the circuit on an
overcurrent condition.
High Speed Fuses
Fuses with no intentional time-delay in the
overload range and designed to open as
quickly as possible in the short-circuit range.
These fuses are often used to protect solid-
state devices.
Inductive Load
An electrical load which pulls a large amount
of current—an inrush current—when first
energized. After a few cycles or seconds the
current “settles down” to the full-load running
current.
Interrupting Capacity
See Interrupting Rating
Interrupting Rating
(Breaking Capacity)
The rating which defines a fuse’s ability to
safely interrupt and clear short circuits. This
rating is much greater than the ampere rating
of a fuse. The NEC®defines Interrupting Rating
as “The highest current at rated voltage that
an overcurrent protective device is intended
to interrupt under standard test conditions.”
Melting Time
The amount of time required to melt the fuse
link during a specified overcurrent. (See
Arcing Time and Clearing Time.)
“NEC” Dimensions
These are dimensions once referenced in the
National Electrical Code. They are common to
Class H and K fuses and provide
interchangeability between manufacturers for
fuses and fusible equipment of given ampere
and voltage ratings.
Ohm
The unit of measure for electric r esistance. An
ohm is the amount of resistance that will allow
one ampere to flow under a pressure of one
volt.
Ohm’s Law
The relationship between voltage, curr ent, and
resistance, expressed by the equation E = IR,
where E is the voltage in volts, I is the current
in amperes, and R is the resistance in ohms.
One Time Fuses
Generic term used to describe a Class H
nonrenewable cartridge fuse, with a single
element.
Overcurrent
A condition which exists on an electrical
circuit when the normal load current is
exceeded. Overcurr ents take on two separate
characteristics—overloads and short circuits.
Overload
Can be classified as an overcurrent which
exceeds the normal full load current of a cir cuit.
Also characteristic of this type of overcurrent is
that it does not leave the normal current car-
rying path of the circuit—that is, it flows from
the source, through the conductors, through
the load, back through the conductors, to the
source again.