Knowledge Centre

Fuse Masterclass

Curious about Lawson Fuses?

In the following videos, our Research and Development team discusses what it’s like working at Lawson Fuses, pioneering a future where safety meets innovation.

Our vision is to lead the market with products that prioritise safety and sustainability, driven by human capital, automation and product innovation.

Episode 1 - Introduction to a Fuse

Whether you’re a beginner or need a refresher, this series is designed to help you understand the world of fuses.

In our first session, you’ll learn:

What is a fuse, and why is it crucial?
The key components of a fuse
The meaning of HRC (High Rupture Capacity)
How a fuse works and the importance of measuring risks
Understanding current ratings

Episode 2 - Understanding HRC Fuses

In this episode, we take a deep dive into HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) fuses. Discover how these fuses protect electrical systems and what makes them critical for safety and efficiency.

What you’ll learn:

What is an HRC fuse and its key functions?
The construction of a fuse link.
How is sand controlled in HRC fuses?
The importance of sieving in the manufacturing process.
The principal use of sand in short circuit protection.
The four crucial stages of short circuit protection.

Episode 3 - Components Within a Fuse Link Assembly

Tony Hunter discusses components in the fuse link assembly, elements and how they are fitted.

What you’ll learn:

Components in a fuse link assembly
What are elements?
How are elements fitted?
What is the heat disc?
What are fuse tags?

Episode 4 - What Are Fuse Link Markings?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the markings on a fuse-link:

What is the British fuse standard?
What is the international fuse standard?
What does the breaking range mean?
What does each letter correspond to?
What is ASTA20 certification?
What are the marks of compliance?
What does the company trademark signify?

Episode 5 - Introduction to Fuse Standards

In this video, we’re introducing fuse standards:

Types of standards
IEC 60269 Series for Low Voltage Fuses
BS88 and its Relationship to IEC Standards
Global consistency across fuse standards

Episode 6 - What is BS 1361 and BS 1362?

In this session, we’re delving further into fuse standards, in particular BS 1361 and BS 1362.

Here’s a break down of the key points covered:

Can you supply a BS 1361 fuse-link?
Can you break down the current standard number?
What is the difference between BS 1361 and BS 88-3 or 60269-3
What are the preferred current ratings?

Episode 7 - Specific Requirements for Fuse Standards

In this episode, we’re exploring what fuse standards include and the specific requirements they cover, such as:

The types of information included in fuse standards
Why some standards are split into different sections
Examples of data within standard sections
An explanation of I²t values
Common fuse markings and what they signify

Episode 8 - How to Read Fuse Datasheets

In this session, we’re taking a closer look at Lawson Fuses datasheets, with a focus on:

What does SK stand for?
Which fuse standards are referenced, and which Fuse System is being used?
How do fuse-links behave differently at higher temperatures?
What does the cut-off current characteristics graph reveal?

Episode 9 - How to Read Current Time Graphs

In this video, we are looking at how to read current-time graphs.

Here is a more in depth breakdown of what we discuss:

What do the various lines represent?
What does the log scale show?
An example of a characteristic curve
How different currents follow the same curve

Episode 10 - Interpreting Values in Current Time Graphs

In this session, we are looking at how to interpret values between the ticks and axes on a current-time graph.