What Happens When a Fuse Blows?

What does it mean when a fuse is considered 'blown'?

Shot

Done

Blown

Tripped

Answer:

A fuse is considered 'blown' when the wire or foil strip inside melts due to excessive current or voltage.

When the wire or foil strip inside a fuse melts, the fuse is said to be 'blown'. The wire or foil strip in a fuse is designed with a low melting point specifically for the purpose of overheating and melting when an excessive current or voltage is present.

Essentially, the wire heats up to the point where it melts and breaks the connection in the circuit, preventing further damage to the circuit or the device it's protecting. This action is irreversible and once a fuse is 'blown', it must be replaced to restore function to the circuit.

Despite this, a blown fuse serves an essential role in protecting the rest of the circuit and connected devices from excessive power or potential electrical fires.