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Originally contributed by Jeff Butler
Jeff's experience designing content solutions lead him to be one of our first contributors. He helped draft Makey's blueprint and is one of the best explainers of technical details we know.
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Did you know that Thomas Edison patented the fuse in 1890 when he invented his electric distribution system? Nowadays, there are so many different kinds, it’s hard to choose a fuse without knowing the basics first.
Definition
In general, fuses are sacrificial electrical safety devices that are designed to stop the flow of electricity if there is a problem. Fuses are commonly found in automobiles, home electronics and appliances, and in older home fuse boxes. Fuses can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities, depending on their application. Fuses are similar to circuit breakers because they both stop electricity when there is a problem. However, unlike circuit breakers that can be reset, fuses are designed for single use and must be replaced.
How To Tell If A Fuse Is Blown
Fuses are commonly used as electrical safety features in automobiles and many modern home appliances and electronic devices. And sometimes, they need to be replaced. There are a couple of ways you can tell if a fuse is blown:
- In many cases, you’ll be able to see a visible gap in the wire or a dark metallic smear inside the fuse if it is blown. If you see either, you’ll probably need to replace the fuse.
- If you are unsure if a fuse is blown, you can test it by using a multimeter. By measuring for continuity, you can determine whether or not the circuit is complete or open.