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: 26.06.2025 07:11
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
What types of cushioning does Nike use in their running shoes?
nine
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
Channel Island pharmacists confirm digestion drug shortage - BBC
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
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.
Exploding battery fears spark recall of 1.1 million portable chargers - San Francisco Chronicle
He then asserts :
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
Barnstars:
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
so, what happens?
Scoop: Treasury officials defend "revenge tax" from wary GOP senators - Axios
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
[image of Common-mode choke]
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
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.
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.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
Jets owner Woody Johnson buying Crystal Palace with $254 million investment - New York Post
This is 'the assistant's answer'
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
How can someone living alone in their own apartment reduce the cost of their electric bills?
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
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.
This one hit behind the barn.
Official website of the International Federation of Sport Climbing. - ifsc climbing
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
New map shows Bay Area locations with highest risk of ember-driven wildfires - East Bay Times
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
There are two important concepts here.
I post the exact comment here.
Seattle Mariners Injury Updates: Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, Luke Raley, More - Lookout Landing
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
“ 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”
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.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
Upvotes:
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
Image of giant volcano on Mars captured by NASA orbiter - ABC News
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
One
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
What is lightning?
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.
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
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.
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
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 device then solves the entire problem.
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
What does a fuse do?
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
First Sentence:
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
Edit 2024–10.
eight
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]