Fuses & Circuit Breakers

Although they work in different ways, fuses and circuit breakers broadly have the same purpose; to protect electrical appliances and electrical circuits from short circuits, and excessive current (called overcurrent or overload).

Fuses

Fuses are relatively low cost electrical safety devices. If too much current enters the circuit, the fuse will burn out (sometimes called blowing out). When the fuse blows out it breaks the circuit. This protects the attached devices and allows you to touch devices without being electrocuted. When the fuse blows, it must be replaced before using the device or appliance again.

Circuit breakers

Circuit breakers work in a similar way to fuses, but they are resettable. Once a fault is detected (this is typically a short circuit or an excessive amount of current flowing through the circuit) the circuit breaker will interrupt the flow of current. When the circuit breaker trips, it's simply a case of flicking a switch to reset the circuit breaker. As soon as you've reset the circuit breaker, it is ready to use again.

50973 Products showing for Fuses & Circuit Breakers

90 of 999+
  • RS Stock No. 397-351
  • Mfr. Part No. 3NA3812
Each (In a Pack of 3)
£6.093
  • RS Stock No. 218-8511
  • Mfr. Part No. 1492-A3B1H
Each
£144.69
  • RS Stock No. 852-7077
  • Mfr. Part No. MDA-3-R
Each
£1.32
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 772-1303
  • Mfr. Part No. 5SY4210-7
Each
£54.31
  • RS Stock No. 181-8706
  • Mfr. Part No. BD63
Each
£12.12
  • RS Stock No. 170-1962
  • Mfr. Part No. 06190003000
1 Bag of 16
£59.18
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 776-2711
  • Mfr. Part No. A9XPH106
Each
£9.11
  • RS Stock No. 563-794
Each (In a Pack of 10)
£0.377
  • RS Stock No. 537-5719
  • Mfr. Part No. 260174 NZM2-XTVDV
Each
£95.51
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 191-6084
  • Mfr. Part No. A9P22602
Each
£46.55
  • RS Stock No. 782-7931
  • Mfr. Part No. W57-XB7A4A10-15
Each
£2.63
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 219-8298
  • Mfr. Part No. A9N18470
Each
£318.04
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 482-843
  • Mfr. Part No. DF103N
Each
£28.14
  • RS Stock No. 232-0217
  • Mfr. Part No. 1SDA066808R1 XT1B 160 TMD 125A FF
Each
£255.36
  • RS Stock No. 221-3722
1 Bag of 5
£56.08
  • RS Stock No. 123-281
  • Mfr. Part No. 170738 FRBMM-C10/3/003-A
Each
£149.63
  • RS Stock No. 787-4417
  • Mfr. Part No. 0298250.ZXEH
Each
£5.28
  • RS Stock No. 408-404
  • Mfr. Part No. FX0280
Each (In a Pack of 5)
£5.602
  • RS Stock No. 203-1990
  • Mfr. Part No. 3NA3832-8
Each (In a Pack of 3)
£24.837
  • RS Stock No. 811-1919
  • Mfr. Part No. 1SL1209A00 65P18X42
Each
£138.55
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