Low Voltage Circuit

Fuse Monitor

The fuse monitor is a particular type of protection relay, used to control a circuit by an independent low-power signal or, on the opposite, when one signal controls different circuits. The application of a fuse monitor can be found in fuse monitoring and when there is the necessity to control the activities of a fuse.

When an appliance ceases to operate, there may be various causes for this, one of which is the blowing of the main fuse. The monitor proposed here contains an LED that lights when that is the case. It is suitable for use with fuses rated from mili-amperes to amperes. As long as the fuse is intact, the full mains voltage exists across C2-R3-D3. Capacitor C2 and resistor R2 serve to limit the base current of T1. Diode D3 prevents C2 from being charged, which would cause the base current to drop to zero rapidly. Capacitor C1 and resistor R2 limit the current through D1, while D2 ensures that, the voltage across the LED does not exceed 2.7 V. At the same time, D2 prevents C1 from being charged.

Fuse

As long as the mains voltage exists at Junction F1-C2, transistor T1 conducts and Short-circuits D1 and D2. When F1 blows, T1 is switched off, whereupon current flows through D1 and D2: the LED then lights. Resistor R1 must conform to relevant safety regulations. Furthermore, capacitors that still carry the mains voltage after the appliance is switched off, must become discharged (via R1) within a stipulated time. When the monitor is in use, remember at all times that certain of its parts are at potentially lethal, mains voltage.

Fuse is an electrical device built around a conductive strip designed to melt and separate in any event of excessive current to prevent damage or fires. It will open the circuit and stop the current from flowing through to the rest of the components.

Fuse Monitor FGT works correctly even in critical situations, such as:

  • Phases asymmetry
  • Independence from the phases’ sequence
  • Presence of harmonics
  • Regenerated currents derived from motors
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