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: 27.06.2025 01:00
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
Despite practicing at CB and WR, Bo Melton won’t compare himself to Travis Hunter - NBC Sports
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.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
Bitcoin bears bet against BTC’s rally, but a short squeeze could follow IF… - AMBCrypto
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.
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
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.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
Red Cross says at least 21 killed and dozens shot in Gaza aid incident - BBC
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
"Oh, Mary!" star Cole Escola manifested their Tony win the old-fashioned way - Salon.com
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
Fallout Shelter has been downloaded over 230 million times in 10 years - Eurogamer
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
One
SpaceX launches 500th orbital Falcon rocket on 15th anniversary of the Falcon 9 - Spaceflight Now
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
so, what happens?
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
Why am I so jealous towards couples? Why am I tired of being single and feel my life is over?
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
a photo is worth a thousand words.
He then asserts :
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
What does a fuse do?
The Forgotten History (and Slippery Science) of Canola Oil - Eater
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
Checkers Drop Game 1 of Finals in Double Overtime - Charlotte Checkers Hockey
What is lightning?
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
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 device then solves the entire problem.
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.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
Barnstars:
[image of Common-mode choke]
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
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 device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
nine
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
Edit 2024–10.
“ 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”
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
eight
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
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.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
There are two important concepts here.
Upvotes:
First Sentence:
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
I post the exact comment here.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
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.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
This one hit behind the barn.
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
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.