If I replace a fuse which is rated 10 amp 50 volts with one rated 10 amp 500 volts what would be the effect?

Question

I need a simple explanation please.

Answer 1

The 500V rating of the fuse means that you can't put it on any circuit that is higher than 500V. It is OK, to use it in a smaller voltage, 50V in your case. (the reverse is NOT true, don't put a 50V fuse in a 250V circuit)

Your fuse is made to break at 10 A, since both fuses have the same current rating, I think it is OK to use it.

Check also wikipedia on Electric fuses

Answer 2

Tv Guy is really right on the money. Even if there were a slightly higher blowing place for the 500V rated fuse, it would still provide protection, because most of the time when a fuse blows, it is protecting against a short circuit. When that happens, the 10 amps is bypassed in milliseconds as the circuit attempts to draw max power through it. That means that a slightly higher rated fuse would blow only milliseconds later, thus protecting about the same as the other.

Answer 3

You always want to replace a fuse with the same one. The reason for this is that whatever the fuse came out of, was designed for that. Also, if you have a 500 volt fuse, it will let 500 volts pass through it, when your equipment is only set up for 50 and probably destroy it.

Answer 4

if you had a power surge in the incoming voltage you wouldn`t be protected.The fuse you should use ie 50 v is there for a reason,,that being that whatever it is protecting will be damaged if more than 50v at 10amps passes through it.By putting the 500v fuse in place you are allowing a higher voltage to pass the breaker , all depends on how valuable the protected item is to you and the potential for the item to be damaged and therefore catch fire .....do you want that ?

Answer 5

IT OK