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: 28.06.2025 02:35
“ 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”
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
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.
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These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
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A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
Edit 2024–10.
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.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
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And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
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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.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
What is lightning?
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
What does a fuse do?
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
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He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
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He then describes the function of a fuse.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
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2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
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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?
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
so, what happens?
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This device then solves the entire problem.
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
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2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
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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 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.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
He then asserts :
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
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The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
Upvotes:
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
There are two important concepts here.
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
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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.
This one hit behind the barn.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
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but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
I post the exact comment here.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
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.
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.