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: 22.06.2025 09:40
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
How do I overcome attachment issues?
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
Edit 2024–10.
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.
This one hit behind the barn.
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
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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.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
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But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
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 where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
This device then solves the entire problem.
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nine
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
What is lightning?
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.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
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.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
“ 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”
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
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.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
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.
so, what happens?
eight
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
Upvotes:
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
One
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
I post the exact comment here.
[image of Common-mode choke]
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
He then asserts :
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
Barnstars:
First Sentence:
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
There are two important concepts here.
What does a fuse do?
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
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?
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.