Fuse

A fuse is a sacrificial overcurrent-protection device containing an element that melts when excessive current flows, breaking the circuit.

Joule heating: The production of heat when electric current passes through a resistance. Current heats the fuse element until it reaches its melting point.
Electric current: The rate at which electric charge passes a point. Excessive current is the condition a fuse is designed to interrupt.
Cartridge fuse: A fuse with a fusible element enclosed in a cylindrical insulating body and metal end contacts. Its enclosed body is common in equipment and distribution applications.
Circuit breaker: A resettable switching device that automatically interrupts current during specified fault conditions. Unlike a fuse, it can usually be reset rather than replaced after operation.
Melting point: The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid at a given pressure. The fuse element opens the circuit when heating brings it to this temperature.
Electrical resistance: The opposition a material or component presents to electric current. Resistance in the element converts current into heat.
Blade fuse: A compact automotive fuse with two blades and a color-coded insulating body. Its plug-in form suits low-voltage vehicle wiring.
Resettable fuse: A polymer-based overcurrent device whose resistance rises sharply when heated and falls after cooling. It can recover after a fault instead of requiring replacement.
Electrical circuit: An interconnected path through which electric current can flow. A fuse protects a circuit by interrupting its current path.
Short circuit: An unintended low-resistance path that allows unusually large current to flow. A short circuit can drive current high enough to melt a fuse quickly.

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