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?
10.06.2025 01:18

“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
Why cant I stop thinking about counsellor between sessions?
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
One
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
Is it wrong of me to feel uncomfortable that my friend thinks my brother is hot?
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
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.
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
'Mission: Impossible 8': Inside How They Shot Underwater Submarine - IndieWire
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
so, what happens?
After 6 new cases over the weekend, North Dakota has nation's highest measles rate - InForum
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
ISS Research & Development Conference Cancellation - NASA Watch
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
[image of Common-mode choke]
Do you think the constitution and laws should be taught in school?
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
There are two important concepts here.
Liberals, why don't you like Conservatives?
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
What does a fuse do?
When was the first time you suck on a penis?
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
How to Watch Tonight's NBA Finals Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 for Free - CNET
Edit 2024–10.
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
Circle’s buzzy IPO was a big hit. Now comes the hard part. - MarketWatch
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
He then describes the function of a fuse.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
Knicks' Decision to Fire Tom Thibodeau Was Brewing For 'Months' - Sports Illustrated
He then asserts :
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
nine
Measles vaccination rates drop after COVID-19 pandemic in counties across the US - AP News
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?
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
eight
Upvotes:
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.
“ 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”
Why do men like to have sex with a woman's ass?
This device then solves the entire problem.
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
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.
This is 'the assistant's answer'
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
a photo is worth a thousand words.
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
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.
First Sentence:
Barnstars:
What is lightning?
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 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]
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].
I post the exact comment here.
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
This one hit behind the barn.
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
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.
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).