Question

A Fuse wire is generally made of
A. Tin
B. Tin-lead alloy
C. Copper
D. Either (A) or (B) above

Answer 1

Hint: A Fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide over current protection of an electrical circuit, it is used to secure devices from short circuiting. So metals with low melting points are used to make fuse wires.

Complete step by step answer:
We are given to find the material with which a fuse wire is generally made of.
Fuse essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the excessive current. It is a sacrificial device. A fuse is an automatic means of removing power from a faulty system.So, metals with low melting point and high resistance are used to make a fuse wire. Therefore, tin or tin-lead alloy whose melting point is low will be used in making fuse wire.Copper wire cannot be used because it has a high melting point. Copper wire has high resistance due to which the wire heats up quickly when large current flows.
So, the correct answer is tin or tin-lead alloy, Option D.

Additional Information:
A fuse wire is used in a circuit to be kept away from short circuiting or overloading. This breaks the excessive current and saves devices from getting destroyed. Fuse wire can also be made up of zinc, silver and aluminum. Copper can be used as a wire but not as a fuse wire.

Note: Do not use a metal with high resistance, high melting point, high ohmic loss and low conductance to make fuse wires. Be careful while choosing the materials. Otherwise the devices will be vandalized.