RE: quicky fusible link for fan motor protection

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> Another source might be an industrial construction materials 
> outlet that
> sells components for electrical systems in factories.  The 
> voltages are
> different, but essentially what we want is a link that blows 
> when subjected
> to a thousand watt power load.  (80A x 13v = 1,040W). I don't 
> see why a
> fuse for a 120v circuit that would blow under a 8 or 9 amp 
> load wouldn't do
> the same thing (8.67A x 120v = 1,040W).

No, no, no ... the fuse "knows" nothing about the power dissipated in the
intended load.  All that the fuse knows is the amount of current that is
passing through it.  This means that it doesn't matter if the source is
providing 12 or 12,000 volts to its load, the fuse will blow at its rated
current.  The packaging may be different to deal with other issues (12kV is
more likely to arc through the air than 12v), but the overall protection
mechanism is basically the same ... if its 8.67A at 120v it will be 8.67A at
12v ...

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)