What exactly is the difference between a surge protector and a fuse? Can a fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of surge protector?
Last Updated: 24.06.2025 04:04
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
Gov. Abbott activates state emergency resources ahead of anticipated severe weather - Click2Houston
eight
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
If a narcissist can't feel remorse, can they ever feel regret for an evil act after going to rehab?
Upvotes:
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
Inhibitory Neurons May Hold the Key to Spatial Learning and Memory - Neuroscience News
This one hit behind the barn.
“ A surge suppressor is the one which is connected at the input supply so that when there is a sudden change voltage it bypasses thereby protecting the (circuit) and electronic components”
Barnstars:
He then asserts :
so, what happens?
Edit 2024–10.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
I post the exact comment here.
[image of Common-mode choke]
What is lightning?
WWDC 2025: iOS 26 Rumored Features - MacRumors
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
NASCAR hopeful for deserved return to Mexico City in 2026; will INDYCAR join? - FOX Sports
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
At the secondary, it is 1000 times less.)turns ratio). If it gets hit with a 100,000 volt bolt of lightning then the voltage arrestors conduct and clamp the voltage down to line voltage, ( but a small amount leaks down the line). This is the problem.
This device then solves the entire problem.
Pacers defeat Knicks in 6 games, advance to NBA Finals to face Thunder - NBC News
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
South Korea’s Venus-focused cubesat advances as larger missions face NASA cuts - SpaceNews
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
Abby Lee Miller Sues Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Claims Doctors Left Catheter in Her Body - TMZ
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
a photo is worth a thousand words.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
Why do philosophy of physics when you can do physics itself? - Aeon
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
2024–09–27 [ Mohan Rajaratnam Mohan Rajaratnam ] . Thinks you can get free electricity from nothing : Mohan Rajaratnam's answer to Is it possible to generate free electricity at home using a magnet or other low-cost methods? If so, how does it work?
This is a high voltage low current spike that comes down the line because of the power poles being struck, and the voltage suppressors activating on the primary side of the transformer.
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
This is a photo where a lightning bolt took out a home's complete mains distribution box, and a lot of electronic gear as well.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
This is an electronic circuit designed to clamp voltages so that the Voltage Potential that appears at the outlet is never going to exceed the nominal value.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
There is no harm in having the surge suppressor along with the fuse in the circuit. The fuse will not open up until the current melts the link. This will take time, and in the interim, that jolt will get transmitted into the power supplies.
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
There are two important concepts here.
What does a fuse do?
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
First Sentence:
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
nine
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
Once the voltage goes over 0.0650 volts, then this fact can be used to amplify the difference, and turn the circuit breaker off , furthur down the line. Essentially that is what a RCD/GFCI does, it compares the incoming current, to the outgoing current, and if the difference between the two currents is over 5mA, then it trips the circuit breaker.
Lightning arrestor is a spark-gap device, and can be installed anywhere. What is important, is that the wire is thick enough to withstand the lightning bolt and conduct the energy away from the building.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
One
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.