rewireable fuses

[rumplestiltskin]

Can you wire a 30a holder with 2 X 15A pieces of fusewire to give 30a protection. I suspect not but have not had to consider it before. Anyone any thoughts?

 

[Adam_151]

No, and why would you want to? 30A fusewire is not a rare item

 

[securespark]

You forgot to ask about whether 6 x 5A would suffice?

 

[rumplestiltskin]

Well, some people run out of 30a fusewire and use what they perceive as the next best option to going to their local hardware shop. Can you give some reason why you would not consider it suitable protection?
6 X 5A, the general principle would be the same with the reason for not doing it amplified I'd guess.

 

[bernardgreen]

The surface areas and hence cooling surface of the wire is one parameter that determines the melting point currrent.

The surface areas of two "15 amp" close together would affect the melting point current. Don't ask which way and how, it was a long time ago.

But as a temporary measure 2 by 15 would protect the cable if the cable was rated to safely carry 35 amps for longer than the melt time of the fuse wire.

 

[plugwash]

i'd expect 2 15A wires run together to fail earlier than a single 30A wire but not significantly earlier.

 

[rumplestiltskin]

Yes that's what I thought, both wires would be subject to an external heat source (the other wire) and would fail slightly earlier. As there are no certainties it leaves a vague uncomfortanble feeling about the practice. Not particularly dangerous, but dodgy.

 

[sm1thson]

if you blow a 30 amp fuse wire and need electricity back on before replacing properly replace with 1x15 amp wire and dont turn too much on at once! if you replace with 2x15 all will be well and the chances of putting it right become slim "theres nowt as permanent as a temporary fix"