UPSC CDS 1 2018 GK Paper

Working of safety fuses depends upon magnitude of the current and heating effect of the current. The function of the fuse is to carry normal current without interruption and during an over current situation, it rapidly heats up to melting point and isolates the circuit protected by it. The commonly used materials for fuse elements are Tin, Lead, Copper, Zinc and Silver etc. For currents up to 10A Tin or and alloy of Tin and Lead (63% Tin and 37% Lead) is used. For higher voltages copper or silver is used.