The current rating of a fuse is rather complex, involving time and current.
Manufacturers spec their product with a maximum "sustain" current and a
minimum "blow" current for a given time interval. The "sustain" current and
"blow" current are usually plotted on a graph vs time. The result is a
no-mans area on the graph were the fuse may, or may not, blow. The "blow"
current is usually twice the value of the "sustain" current. American fuses
are rated by their long term "sustain" current. Evidently, the Brits rate
their fuses closer to the "blow" point. I have seen British to American fuse
conversion factors ranging from .5 to .7, so .6 might be a be a good value
to use. I.E. 35 amp British equals 20 amp American. This Triumph web page
http://www.triumphspitfire.com/Fuses.html has a nice fuse conversion chart.
Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
Email - bobmgtd@insightbb.com
52 MGTD - NEMGTR #11470
71 MGB - NAMGBR #7-3336
----- Original Message -----
From: "joseph cianciotti" <jmc987@earthlink.net>
To: "mg mailing list" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 11:14 AM
Subject: Stupid fuse question
> A 35 amp fuse is a 35 amp fuse, right? I hope so. I took my burnt-out 35
> amp fuse (with a thin wire filament) to the local parts store and bought
new
> ones (with a flat wide filament that narrows in the center). Are these the
> same things? Other than the new fuses being about a 16th of an inch
longer,
> the guy behind the counter says they're the same thing. Are they?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Joseph
> 67 MGB Roadster
/// or try http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive
|