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 00:54
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.
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
This device then solves the entire problem.
GM plans $4 billion push to move production from Mexico to U.S. - The Detroit News
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
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 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.
Space Force demos rapid turnaround on latest GPS III launch - Defense News
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
Rabid fox bites person in Raleigh - WRAL.com
so, what happens?
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
Is AI secretly replacing your job right now without you knowing it? What do you think? Do you agree?
“ 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”
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
He then asserts :
The Best Deals Today: Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals Crashes and More - IGN
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
[image of Common-mode choke]
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
What are the challenges associated with the birth narratives of Jesus?
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
Yankees Considering Starts For Ben Rice At Catcher - MLB Trade Rumors
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
Bitcoin Price (BTC) News: Testing $110K Level Again - CoinDesk
What is lightning?
Barnstars:
One
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
nine
Xbox sale round-up June 17, 2025 - TrueAchievements
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
Senate to Review Trump ‘Revenge’ Tax Worrying Wall Street - Bloomberg
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
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.
Red Sox’ Roman Anthony already has done something Alex Bregman hasn’t - MassLive
I post the exact comment here.
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
eight
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
Edit 2024–10.
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
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.
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?
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
What does a fuse do?
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
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.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
First Sentence:
This one hit behind the barn.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
There are two important concepts here.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
Upvotes:
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.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.