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: 02.07.2025 07:47
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
“ 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”
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
This one hit behind the barn.
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
People’s Pharmacy: Did this OTC allergy medicine cause my excruciating knee pain? - OregonLive.com
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
New study maps psychological pathway from childhood abuse to adolescent addiction - PsyPost
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
Gemini is getting ready to replace Google Assistant on Android - The Verge
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
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.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors assess Trump claims of 'done' deal with China - CNBC
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
OpenAI’s first AI device with Jony Ive won’t be a wearable - The Verge
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
What does a fuse do?
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 circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
Wall Street warns Trump aides the GOP tax bill could jolt bond markets - The Washington Post
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
Insulin Isn't Just Made by The Pancreas. Here's Another Location Few Know About. - ScienceAlert
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
What is lightning?
[image of Common-mode choke]
What is the difference between Michael Corleone’s marriage to Apollonia Vitelli and Kay Adams?
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
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.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
Jurors in Harvey Weinstein trial reportedly fighting among themselves - BBC
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
First Sentence:
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
a photo is worth a thousand words.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
I post the exact comment here.
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
eight
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.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
nine
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?
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
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.
Edit 2024–10.
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
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.
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
There are two important concepts here.
One
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
He then asserts :
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
Barnstars:
Upvotes:
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
This device then solves the entire problem.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit 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.