Logo

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?

15.06.2025 10:18

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?

If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.

Barnstars:

What is lightning?

Should Pete Rose's record as the all-time hits leader be recognized and celebrated?

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.

The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.

So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.

What are some hard truths that MAGA needs to hear?

(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).

nine

“ 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”

How do you deal with neighbors who are always telling you what to do?

(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).

what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?

The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”

Why did it take seven days for troops with helicopters, equipment, supplies, food, and water to be dispatched to southeast storm zones?

This device then solves the entire problem.

In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:

Edit 2024–10.

What are the coolest new smart home gadgets to upgrade your living space?

There are two important concepts here.

He then describes the function of a fuse.

Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.

Why am I tired all the time?

These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.

A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.

Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".

Why do some people have loving parents and some do not?

2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]

The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”

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.

How will the 2026 delimitation affect India as a whole keeping the new count of 888 seats in mind (not the current 543)? I’m looking for genuine answers with facts and not rhetoric. I will only listen to answers and not reply to any of them.

A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.

“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”

2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]

The Labour Party wants to put the Winter fuel allowance and the £800,000 of gifts received by ministers behind us. Is this a real option for the people who will suffer as our new masters unapologeticly feast on freebies?

But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.

a photo is worth a thousand words.

but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.

Is it possible for humans to determine their past life as an animal? Is there a scientific method to prove this?

[image of Common-mode choke]

What does a fuse do?

2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]

This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.

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.

At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.

so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.

He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.

2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi

It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.

Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.

but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.

“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”

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.

eight

He then asserts :

Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.

These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.

P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.

I post the exact comment here.

First Sentence:

[old diagram got deleted by accident]

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 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.

It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.

Here is a simplified AC power diagram.

For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).

Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).

The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.

An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.

One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”

When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.

so, what happens?

2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].

Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.

And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.

the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".

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.

This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.

So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.

2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]

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.

It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.

There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.

Upvotes:

OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.

This is 'the assistant's answer'

This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.

So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.

At least they know the answer if they wanted it.

Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.

One

But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.

But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).