fuse calculation?

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lost eden

Member
2009-09-02 10:47 am
  • #1
    I have a pair of LM3886 monoblocks in a single enclosure with a single mains inlet. I know that the mains inlet should really be fused, but how do I work out what is a suitable value?

    Each amp has a 120VA toroid & 2x 8300uF filter caps, so the total inrush will be for 2x 120VA toroids & 32,800uF of caps.

    I'm guessing that even if I push them to their full power (which I never will) the current draw from the mains will likely be less than 1A but obviously the inrush when I turn them on will be a lot more. Would something like a 1.5A timed fuse be enough? Is there a proper way to calculate what I should use?
     
    Mark Johnson

    Mark Johnson

    Member
    Paid Member
    2011-05-27 3:27 pm
    Silicon Valley
  • #2
    If Vmains = 230VAC is applied to the primary of a 120 VA transformer, the max permitted primary current is 0.522 amps RMS. So you'd probably use an 0.6 ampere, time delay / slow blow fuse in each primary circuit.

    FYI, I just bought a Triad Magnetics transformer, 80 VA, whose datasheet says:

    • Output voltage: 18.0V @ 4.4A
    • Recommended fuse** 250V @ 5A, Littelfuse p/n 313 5.0 HXP, slow blow
    • ** Fuse must be used on secondary as conditions of acceptability for UL Class2/3 operation
    The manufacturer's datasheet of the fuse, shows plots of current-versus-time-to-blow, which can help you decide whether your inrush current might blow the fuse during the first two cycles (40 milliseconds) of the 50 HZ mains wave: http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/240/313P_315P-60249.pdf
     
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