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Thread: What is the difference between a fusible link and a fuse?

  1. 11th March 2009 07:18 PM #1
    ampedtech
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    Default What is the difference between a fusible link and a fuse?

    Although I have seen a fusible link in many types of electronics, what has my mind wandering this time is an automotive repair project.




    The heater fan quit on 94 ford escort. I traced it to a speed control module. The fuse that fed the module was intact.

    Mounted on the module are 3 resistors in the form of bare resistive wire, each one a different gauge, wound in the shape of a spring and a fusible link.

    Everything is in series. 12v into the fusible link which feeds the fattest gauge resistor which feeds the next fattest gauge resistor which feeds the skinniest gauge resistor.

    The connector side is wired to taps between the resistors to allow different voltages to the fan motor.

    Thanks for your insights.
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  2. 11th March 2009 08:05 PM #2
    3v0
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    A fuseable link in a car is a bit of wire in the circuit that has a smaller diameter then the rest. The idea is that when the circuit overloads the smaller diameter wire (fuseable link) will fail first. This protects the rest of the circuit from damage. (but you knew this ?)

    What you are seeing on the fan control board is resistors used to control fan speed. Not fuses.

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  3. 11th March 2009 08:08 PM #3
    Willbe
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    Default and here's how long it takes to melt

    High Voltage Fuses
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  4. 11th March 2009 08:39 PM #4
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    One difference between a fusable link and a fuse is that the link is bare while the fuse has the link in some type of enclosed package.
    Carl
    Curmudgeon Elektroniker
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