What Does A Blown Ceramic Fuse Look Like

A slow blow fuse is typically selected to protect circuits that have high inrush currents such as motors and high current power supplies that have a big bump of current on startup.

What does a blown ceramic fuse look like.

Smd fuses are used in fine electronic equipment and video game systems. The film is formed when a short circuit melts the fuse element causing a deposit to be seen on the inside of the fuse barrel as a film. A ceramic fuse is built to withstand high temperatures. You can test your smd fuses for proper working order with a basic multi meter and a steady hand.

These look like a single piece of wire which can be as thin as a hair for small amperage ratings. A ceramic fuse however shows no damage upon visual inspection. Make sure not to induce too much pressure or you might harm the conducting surface of the fuse. These fuses are designed to protect individual components of a system instead of one fuse protecting the entire item.

This is necessary for ceramic fuses since they don t develop a blackened appearance like blown glass fuses. A homeowner can determine if a glass fuse in blown by performing a visual inspection and looking for a break in the thin wire and a brown discoloration in the center of the fuse. The more thermally stable fuse is typically filled with sand in order to prevent the conductive film from forming. The t does indicate that it is a slow blow fuse.

If the fuse is open then the next step is determining what caused the fuse to blow. If you have a blown fuse take a look at the other circuitry without touching it. They are very small and look like a tiny silver candy bar. You need to test whether the ceramic fuse has blown.

It still might blow with a slow blow fuse installed but at least you know that the correct type of fuse was in circuit. If you just simply replace the fuse there is a good chance the fuse will blow again. To do this use a voltmeter ohmmeter. If the fuse seems stuck use pliers for this.

Testing a ceramic fuse is the only way to tell if the fuse has blown. If it doesn t blow with the slow blow installed then it may be have been a case of fuse fatigue with the original fuse especially if it all works when you connect everything.