What exactly is the difference between a surge protector and a fuse? Can a fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of surge protector?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 12:57
a photo is worth a thousand words.
This is a photo where a lightning bolt took out a home's complete mains distribution box, and a lot of electronic gear as well.
2024–10–00 [ Ammar Mahdi ] Ammar Mahdi
OnePlus Watch 3 gets a smaller 43mm size alongside new Buds 4 in the US next month - 9to5Google
so, what happens?
One is “what exactly is in a ‘surge protector’ ? ”
So combined with a device called a MOV or Metal-oxide-resistor, then forms the 3rd part of a “surge suppressor “.
Which Red Sox prospect will be next to draw Roman Anthony-level excitement? - MassLive
The third is lightning and “how it gets conducted into a home.”
“ A fuse is a device which protects the (circuit) against overload and short circuit.”
Edit 2024–10.
What to know about Jeff Bezos' upcoming Venice wedding — and the protests against it - NPR
(Dc diagram shown, AC is similar).
But during the surge, the fuse will not blow if it is a longer duration and lower value )10 to 50%).
So, it’s possible that these devices from Trip Lite have addition suppression devices, these ones seem to be sturdy.
The other is “what does a “fuse” do?”
He then describes Rainy Season and Lightning.
“ A surge suppressor is the one which is connected at the input supply so that when there is a sudden change voltage it bypasses thereby protecting the (circuit) and electronic components”
Seattle shop attracts top rock stars seeking vintage guitars - The Seattle Times
Fuses, on their own, then operate much slower than the MOV variable resistance, during the lightning strike.
Mohan forgets that a fuse is a one-time device, and needs to be replaced if it is tripped.
“ … to protect building, lightning arrestor, is provided above building and directly connected to earth.”
so, the loop of wire then, when put together with another loop reduces the ‘noise’ on a power line.
This is a high voltage low current spike that comes down the line because of the power poles being struck, and the voltage suppressors activating on the primary side of the transformer.
At one ohm, the resistor has a maximum of 1 watt power.
This is where this question deviates from being a 'generic' question, and becomes more specific.
Barnstars:
2024–10–16 [ OO OLAOYE OYEBODE ]
What is the best technique for inserting a tampon into one’s anus?
At least they know the answer if they wanted it.
Lightning arrestor is a spark-gap device, and can be installed anywhere. What is important, is that the wire is thick enough to withstand the lightning bolt and conduct the energy away from the building.
There are three different concepts here that are getting confused.
The MOV will conduct when the voltage exceeds 50% of line voltage.
It seems Mohan does not understand the difference between a comment and an Answer.
He then asserts :
Why is my hair dry but greasy at the same time and falling out? What can I do about it?
It also is a device that limits the change in current flow.
but I think this circuit , shows a few more pieces.
What does a fuse do?
What was your most memorable experience catching a fraudulent car seller?
These devices are installed between the “hot” and “neutral” and protective ground.
He then describes the function of a fuse.
This is the picture of an electronic coil of wire wound around a core of magnetic material.
We've Been Misreading a Major Law of Physics For Nearly 300 Years - ScienceAlert
2024–10–10[John johnson John Johnson ]
nine
This is 'the assistant's answer'
Upvotes:
I post the exact comment here.
This one hit behind the barn.
but this device (an Inductor) … impedes the rapid changes in the current.
First Sentence:
This device then solves the entire problem.
Can the fuse protect the electronic devices from lightning instead of a surge protector.
And this is the problem alone. Is the power supply in the equipmemt designed with a lightning strike in mind? Some yes, others, no.
But it can get overloaded, and no longer works.
There are two important concepts here.
2024–10–14 [Omar Gharbi Omar Gharbi ]
An AC voltage/ current source, and an ac inductive load.
2024–09–27 [ Mohan Rajaratnam Mohan Rajaratnam ] . Thinks you can get free electricity from nothing : Mohan Rajaratnam's answer to Is it possible to generate free electricity at home using a magnet or other low-cost methods? If so, how does it work?
[image of Common-mode choke]
This is where the MOV conducts again, and dissipated the energy.
But… the neutral is now “floating” because of the 1 ohm resistance.
One
Now when you have a certain ac resistance, then a current flows in a loop.
So, the voltage could go up to 500 volts, and the fuse will not open up.
What is lightning?
Once the voltage goes over 0.0650 volts, then this fact can be used to amplify the difference, and turn the circuit breaker off , furthur down the line. Essentially that is what a RCD/GFCI does, it compares the incoming current, to the outgoing current, and if the difference between the two currents is over 5mA, then it trips the circuit breaker.
At the secondary, it is 1000 times less.)turns ratio). If it gets hit with a 100,000 volt bolt of lightning then the voltage arrestors conduct and clamp the voltage down to line voltage, ( but a small amount leaks down the line). This is the problem.
For this case there are devices called Metal oxide varistors (MOV).
There is no harm in having the surge suppressor along with the fuse in the circuit. The fuse will not open up until the current melts the link. This will take time, and in the interim, that jolt will get transmitted into the power supplies.
Is the question then , "why buy a surge supressor, if the fuse alone protects the electronic circuits from a lightning bolt?".
(There is no concept of polarity, in the loop because the current changes direction 100 to 120 times a second (power frequency).
A fuse is a non-resetable over current circuit protector.
what exactly is a ‘surge’ protector?
2024–10–11 [Victor Olarewsju Victor Olarewaju ]
In schematic diagrams this is the symbol for a fuse:
When the current is 200% of the rated value , it will “go open” (the link metal melts) and protect the device.
Would individual surge supressors have save this equipment? most likely, since the surge supressor would take the jolt instead of the electronic components.
OK, this is Mohan Rajaratnam’s definition of a Surge suppressor.
If the nominal power is 4,000 watts then the current at 230volts is 16 amps.
It’s been three xxx five werks, and there has been no response to my follow on query on his Commment to my answer.
[old diagram got deleted by accident]
These are simplified answers to the original question, and does not change anything I wrote above.
P = e* I, so since I is 16 amps, then the voltage dropped is 1/16 volt or 0.0650 volts.
the problem then depends on "how fast does the fuse operate?".
eight
Because the load is inductive, the current lags the voltage.(by a bit).
Here is a simplified AC power diagram.
A circuit breaker is similar, but is resettable.
This is an electronic circuit designed to clamp voltages so that the Voltage Potential that appears at the outlet is never going to exceed the nominal value.
The bolt then partially travels down the line to your home.
2024–10–11 [Bobby Sanchez Bobby Sanchez ].