Paralleling Fuses

richie00boy · 13th June 2006, 10:01 AM

Is it acceptable to parallel identical fuses to get 2x or 3x the rating? The reason I ask is that the fuse holder is rated to 6.3A, but I need a lot more current. I've paralleled two fuse holders each with 5A fuse to get the desired current.

Alternatively, can anybody suggest a PCB mounting fuse holder that can take more than 6.3A? Doesn't have to be 5x20mm but that's what I'm using now.

This one in fact

Netlist · 13th June 2006, 10:13 AM

Pick your current.

/Hugo

richie00boy · 13th June 2006, 12:46 PM

Thanks Hugo, I had to guess at Belgian though

So it would seem that 1/4 inch fuses would be up to the job? They don't really seem that much meatier than 5mm fuses.

I_Forgot · 13th June 2006, 06:13 PM

I don't think it is a good idea to parallel fuses.

If one path has slightly higher resistance than the other (and it will, no matter how hard you try), the current will not divide between the fuses equally. If that happens, one of the fuses will blow when the current just exceeds its spec, followed quickly by the other, since it will be the only one left in the circuit.

Also, if one of them blows and the other doesn't (I'm not sure how that would happen) you will have no way of knowing until the second fuse blows under seemingly normal conditions.

Get a proper sized fuse. If you can't get one that fits on a PCB, get a panel mount or chassis mount fuse holder. Do it the right way the first time and save yourself the hassle later.

I_F

poobah · 13th June 2006, 06:22 PM

Are you designing for regulatory compliance? That fuse holder appears to be capable of more than 6.3 Amps.

richie00boy · 13th June 2006, 08:26 PM

The catalogue says it's rated at 6.3 amps. I'm wanting to pass an RMS current of 10 amps.

Netlist · 13th June 2006, 08:32 PM

I noticed that you have to copy and paste the link I provided.
I'd go for the 20A fuse holder from Bussmann.

/Hugo

Bazukaz · 13th June 2006, 08:34 PM

Hi,
I think that 10A is not a problem. In my opinion , the best solution is to solder the fuses , if you don't plan to replace them often.

Regards,
Lukas.

richie00boy · 13th June 2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Netlist
I noticed that you have to copy and paste the link I provided.
I'd go for the 20A fuse holder from Bussmann.

/Hugo

A 10x38 mm C10 type fuse, that looks OK. My usual catalogue doesn't carry the clips, but I suppose it's no problem getting them from Farnell.

richie00boy · 13th June 2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bazukaz
Hi,
I think that 10A is not a problem. In my opinion , the best solution is to solder the fuses , if you don't plan to replace them often.

Regards,
Lukas.

Thanks but soldering them is not an option. I'd also be wary of the fuse insides breaking/desoldering if I were to solder to it.

13th June 2006, 10:01 AM	#1
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Paralleling Fuses Is it acceptable to parallel identical fuses to get 2x or 3x the rating? The reason I ask is that the fuse holder is rated to 6.3A, but I need a lot more current. I've paralleled two fuse holders each with 5A fuse to get the desired current. Alternatively, can anybody suggest a PCB mounting fuse holder that can take more than 6.3A? Doesn't have to be 5x20mm but that's what I'm using now. This one in fact __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

13th June 2006, 12:46 PM	#3
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Thanks Hugo, I had to guess at Belgian though So it would seem that 1/4 inch fuses would be up to the job? They don't really seem that much meatier than 5mm fuses. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

13th June 2006, 08:26 PM	#6
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	The catalogue says it's rated at 6.3 amps. I'm wanting to pass an RMS current of 10 amps. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

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13th June 2006, 10:13 AM	#2
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	Pick your current. /Hugo

13th June 2006, 06:13 PM	#4
I_Forgot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, Az.	I don't think it is a good idea to parallel fuses. If one path has slightly higher resistance than the other (and it will, no matter how hard you try), the current will not divide between the fuses equally. If that happens, one of the fuses will blow when the current just exceeds its spec, followed quickly by the other, since it will be the only one left in the circuit. Also, if one of them blows and the other doesn't (I'm not sure how that would happen) you will have no way of knowing until the second fuse blows under seemingly normal conditions. Get a proper sized fuse. If you can't get one that fits on a PCB, get a panel mount or chassis mount fuse holder. Do it the right way the first time and save yourself the hassle later. I_F

13th June 2006, 06:22 PM	#5
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Are you designing for regulatory compliance? That fuse holder appears to be capable of more than 6.3 Amps.

13th June 2006, 08:32 PM	#7
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	I noticed that you have to copy and paste the link I provided. I'd go for the 20A fuse holder from Bussmann. /Hugo

13th June 2006, 08:34 PM	#8
Bazukaz diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vilnius	Hi, I think that 10A is not a problem. In my opinion , the best solution is to solder the fuses , if you don't plan to replace them often. Regards, Lukas.

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