what is an electric fuse? how does it function? (4 marks)
Answers
Answer :
An electric fuse is a device that is used to protect electric circuits and electric appliances against high current caused by short - circuiting or overloading due to withdrawal of large current. A fuse is a short piece of wire made of a material of high resistance and low melting point.
Explanation:
An electric fuse is a wire of high resistance and a low melting point. It is used to avoid damages that can be caused due to overloading or short circuiting. Most of the times, a fuse is made out of a tin-lead alloy.
Fuse wires come in specific ratings. They don't allow currents more than their specified limits. If current of higher magnitude than the specified current flows through them, the fuse gets heated and ultimately melts. Thus it results in the breaking of the whole circuit and other appliances are saved. This way, fuses function to protect entire circuits.