What are the differences between fuse and circuit breaker?

DWQA QuestionsCategory: Switchgear and ProtectionWhat are the differences between fuse and circuit breaker?
How Engineering Works Staff asked 6 years ago
3 Answers
How Engineering Works Staff answered 6 years ago

Fuse
1. It is generally used in low voltage application.
2. It can detect and interrupt the fault.
3. Its work on the principle of electrical and thermal properties.
4. Operating time of fuse is very small.
5. Fuse element needs to replace after every operation.
6. Fuse cannot be used as an ON/OFF switch.

Circuit Breaker
1. Circuit breaker is suitable for high voltage application.
2. Circuit breaker cannot detect fault. It perform only interruptions and deductions of fault is made by relay.
3. Circuit breaker work on the electromagnetical principle.
4. Operating time of circuit breaker is higher as compared to fuse.
5. Circuit breaker can be used again and again after operation.
6. Circuit breaker can be used as an ON/OFF switch.

boby answered 6 years ago

  The basic difference is that, if a fuse “Blows out” it literally blows out the Fuse wire, so you need to replace that with another fuse wire to complete the circuit again. Circuit Breakers (CBs) will disconnect the circuit during overloaded or fault situation and will re-connect the circuit once the fault has been cleared, it also has a manual turn ON switch so that you can connect it when ever required without any replacement of parts in the CB.

ML answered 6 years ago

Fuse : Offers you over-current protection.
Circuit Breaker : Offers you over-current, overload or short-circuit protection. It basically works after the protective relays sense a fault in your circuit.