The first crucial thing the person installing an electric circuit wants is complete protection of electrical devices and users. Therefore they have to decide whether to use a fuse or a circuit breaker for their house. Usually, you will find both of these electrical devices in every home, and the only difference is to decide where and when to use either one. Homeowners and apartment owners buy circuit breakers but occasionally buy fuses to replace spoilt ones for specific electronic devices.
You will find that there are several differences between both of these electrical devices.
The differences between a fuse and circuit breakers range from the application, protection, operation principle, cost and reusability. However, the main difference between these electrical devices is in the application and working principle, as explained below.
What Is The Difference Between A Fuse And Circuit Breakers?
A significant difference between fuse and circuit breaker is that the circuit breaker has a function to mechanically disconnect the connection if there is an increase in supply more than the power load. That helps to prevent short circuits, fires and other problems on connected devices.
However, a fuse helps to protect a specific device from spoiling in case the incoming power current exceeds the required amount.
1- Operation Mode
The operation mode of the fuse is automatic, whereas the circuit breaker can be operated automatically and manually.
2- Operation Principle
A circuit breaker works on electromagnetic and switching principles, automatically using electromagnetic power and switching off the connection. In contrast, a fuse works on the electrical and thermal properties principle for utilising the conducting materials when the current exceeds required.
3- Response Time
The operating response time of the fuse is 0.002 seconds, whereas the circuit breaker operating Time is more than that. Therefore, it is 0.002 to 0.005 seconds.
4- Reusability
If any fault occurs and the coil trips, a circuit breaker does not need to be changed as it can be flipped back and reused. In comparison, a fuse cannot be reused.
5- Switching Action
The fuse cannot be used on an ON/OFF switch. In contrast, the circuit breaker can be used on an ON/OFF switch.
6- Breaking Capacity
The breaking Capacity of a circuit breaker is higher than a fuse.
7- Application
A fuse protects an individual device rather than the entire apartment or home. On the other hand, a circuit breaker protects the house.
8- Protection
The circuit breaker protects both power overloads and short circuits, whereas the fuse protects against only power overloads. Thus, this is essential information to consider when choosing between a fuse and a circuit breaker.
9- Costing Part
Fuses are much cheaper as compared to circuit breakers. Therefore, the cost is also essential when deciding between a fuse and a circuit breaker.
10- Auxiliary Contact
An auxiliary contact is required in the case of fuse, while no auxiliary contact is necessary for circuit breakers.
Hence a fuse and circuit breaker are very different from each other. The primary difference between a fuse and circuit breakers is that fuses cannot be reused, whereas circuit breakers can be reused repeatedly by simply flipping them up if it trips due to an overflow of current. Circuit breakers protect homes and all the devices against short circuits and overloading, while fuses protect individual devices against overloading only.
