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: 01.07.2025 14:01

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?

A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.

This is 'the assistant's answer'

2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]

Why do so many autistic adults deal with self-hatred?

This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.

Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.

And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.

Trump’s budget puts Huntsville-made spacecraft on the chopping block - AL.com

Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.

There are two important concepts here.

So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.

Why is my hair dry but greasy at the same time and falling out? What can I do about it?

[image of Common-mode choke]

Edit 2024–10.

Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).

Over 40? Eating These Carbs Could Boost Your Healthy Aging Odds by 37% - bestlifeonline.com

These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.

This one hit behind the barn.

If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.

What is the best skin care routine product for oily skin?

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.

Upvotes:

“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”

Fighting game legend Brad 'Slips' Vitale passes away - EventHubs

A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.

eight

2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi

Drug slashes migraine days by half in early trial — and it may work with completely 'new mechanism' - Live Science

So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.

nine

P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.

US housing market now has 500K more sellers than buyers — and it’s leading to a shift in the balance of power - Yahoo Finance

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.

“ 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”

2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]

Why do I want to suck cock, after smoking methamphetamine?

It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.

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.

When a dog smells another dog’s poo or wee, do they then remember that scent for when they smell it again, or even further know which dog they are smelling if they know the dog?

What does a fuse do?

One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”

so, what happens?

2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].

This device then solves the entire problem.

For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).

This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.

When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.

There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.

OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.

The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”

So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.

Barnstars:

But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.

The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”

He then asserts :

But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).

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.

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.

Here is a simplified AC power diagram.

Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.

but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.

At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.

so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.

At least they know the answer if they wanted it.

He then describes the function of a fuse.

One

what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?

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.

An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.

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.

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.

the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".

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).

but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.

“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”

(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).

But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.

What is lightning?

First Sentence:

It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.

In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:

Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.

[old diagram got deleted by accident]

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 MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.

These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.

2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]

Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".

a photo is worth a thousand words.

The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.

He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.

This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.

Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.