What is The Difference Between Fuses and Breakers?

What is The Difference Between Fuses and Breakers? A question that gets asked a lot by homeowners.

First we will go over what a fuse is, and how it works. Most fuses have a small metal filament where the current of a circuit will pass through. If the current on the circuit is greater than what the filament is rated for, the filament will break and stop the flow of current. In the case of blade fuses they use sand to help extinguish the arc after the filament breaks.

Blade fuses are mostly used in disconnect switches. Some homes in Winnipeg Manitoba have a fused disconnect switch that still use these type of fuses. Blade fuses are also common in industrial and commercial buildings all over the world and here in Winnipeg Manitoba.

The less common type of fuses used today are plug fuses or screw in fuses. Plug fuses were common in the 50s and have a base that looks like a lightbulb base and a see through glass on top. These type of fuses got phased out as they were a one time use and in residential homes homeowners would have to get these changed quite frequently if they would overload kitchen circuits. Another reason they were phased out is homeowners would install a fuse not properly rated for the circuit if it would trip as they have the same base for most of the common values. This would cause a potential fire hazard as the wiring was not rated to carry a higher current and melt.

Breakers are made of plastic construction and metal internal pieces . This construction makes them able to be reset if they happen to trip due to overload. Breakers are now installed in all modern construction and are constantly being updated. There are now many different types now such as AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter), GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and even whole home surge protection breakers. With being able to be reset breakers save cost on replacement vs a one time use fuse.

All this being said there is nothing wrong with fuses and they will protect a circuit and your home just as well as a breaker if sized properly. If you have and questions or concerns about your homes electrical set up feel free to reach out to us at GW Electric Inc. Your local Winnipeg Electrician, Here to help with all your electrical needs!