Question

What are the characteristic properties of fuse wire?

Answer 1

Hint: In this question think of the basic properties of fuse wire like the ones concerned with low melting point, low resistivity etc. Fuse wire is generally used to break the circuit when extensive currents are flown in the circuit and thus protecting the circuit from breakdown. So think of the characteristic properties that can fit best for a fuse wire. This will help approach the solution of the problem.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Fuse is always connected in series with the electronic meter so that maximum amount of current is flowing with the fuse.
Fuse is used to protect the electrical equipment such as T.V, refrigerator, fan, cooler etc.
Such as when there is any fault in the system the fuse wire melts quickly and breaks so that heavy current does not flow from the electrical equipment.
As we all know during fault there is a flow of heavy current in the system which is very dangerous for the electrical equipment as well as for the human beings therefore we use a fuse so that we can avoid such things to happen.

Properties of fuse wire
$\left( i \right)$ Low melting point – melting point of the fuse wire must be low so that during fault or during flow of heavy current it melts quickly.
$\left( {ii} \right)$ Low ohmic loss – Fuse wire must have very low ohmic loss so that there is no power loss in the fuse wire, as fuse wire is of no use it is only used for protection, that’s why we have to use copper wire as a material of fuse wire as the resistivity of the copper is very low so the ohmic loss is low.
$\left( {iii} \right)$ High conductivity (or low resistivity) – Fuse wire must have high conductivity so that maximum amount of current is flowing through them.
So these are the required characteristics of the fuse wire.

Note – There is a confusion regarding the fact that MCB that is miniature circuit breaker and fuse are similar. This is entirely wrong and is a misconception. Miniature circuit breaker is somewhat an electromechanical device however a fuse is an electrical device. Miniature circuit breakers are somewhat more sensitive as compared to the fuse in terms of current and also protect from the scenarios of overloading.