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: 30.06.2025 00:05
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
Xbox finally reveals handheld console after decade of speculation - BBC
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
nine
Hailee Steinfeld Weds Josh Allen In Three Tamara Ralph Couture Looks - Red Carpet Fashion Awards
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?
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
Will the Palestinians ever have their own state in Israel?
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 the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
Jets from black holes J1405+0415 and J1610+1811 - BBC Sky at Night Magazine
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.
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
One
Holocaust survivor who was burned in Boulder: 'We are better than this' - NBC News
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
This one hit behind the barn.
Don’t Try Flying With Erewhon Sunflower Seeds - The Cut
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
I post the exact comment here.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
Dolorem suscipit perferendis ea aut quo et ea.
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
He then describes the function of a fuse.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
eight
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
Why do I want to suck cock, after smoking methamphetamine?
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.
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
CNBC's UK Exchange newsletter: No easy answers for Reeves - CNBC
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
What's the hardest part about marriage that no one ever talks about?
First Sentence:
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
Elon Musk’s Reign of Corruption Chronicled in Elizabeth Warren Report - Rolling Stone
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
Alaska Airlines to launch Seattle-to-Rome nonstop flights in 2026 - KING5.com
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
[image of Common-mode choke]
This device then solves the entire problem.
A high-resolution spectrometer that fits into smartphones - Phys.org
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.
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
Upvotes:
He then asserts :
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
What is lightning?
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.
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
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.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
so, what happens?
Barnstars:
“ 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”
Edit 2024–10.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
What does a fuse do?
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
There are two important concepts here.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
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.
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).