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: 23.06.2025 00:29
“ 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”
a photo is worth a thousand words.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection June patch notes - EventHubs
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
Doloremque harum est natus ipsum quasi at atque quam.
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 ]
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
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.
Barnstars:
I post the exact comment here.
Costco plans new checkout option members should love - TheStreet
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.
nine
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?
Why do narcissists keep calling on the phone after years of separation?
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
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.
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
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.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
AI Cracks Secret Language of Sticky Proteins Linked to Alzheimer’s - SciTechDaily
He then asserts :
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
In what ways does Islam oppress women?
Edit 2024–10.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
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.
Winners & Losers From The 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional Round - Baseball America
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
eight
He then describes the function of a fuse.
While you sleep, these bugs throw a party on your face - East Idaho News
There are two important concepts here.
Upvotes:
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
The Surprising Way Five Days Of Junk Food Impacts Your Brain - MindBodyGreen
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
What's the most impressive feature of Claude AI according to its users?
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
This one hit behind the barn.
One
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
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.
so, what happens?
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
[image of Common-mode choke]
What is lightning?
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
First Sentence:
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
This device then solves the entire problem.
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
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.
What does a fuse do?
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.