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

94 of 999+
  • RS Stock No. 489-961
  • Mfr. Part No. 236232 PXL-B20/2
Each
£35.92
  • RS Stock No. 265-0160
Each
£18.95
  • RS Stock No. 773-3558
  • Mfr. Part No. LPJ-50SP
Each
£110.63
  • RS Stock No. 489-4499
  • Mfr. Part No. C10M16
Each (In a Pack of 10)
£1.00
  • RS Stock No. 395-660
  • Mfr. Part No. 3NA3836
Each (In a Pack of 3)
£20.07
  • RS Stock No. 478-2330
  • Mfr. Part No. GHV0360505R0001 SZ-BSK5
Each
£2.76
  • RS Stock No. 284-5079
  • Mfr. Part No. 0034.6011
Each (In a Pack of 10)
£0.335
  • RS Stock No. 418-467
  • Mfr. Part No. CM32F
Each
£21.06
  • RS Stock No. 245-022
  • Mfr. Part No. A9D05816
Each
£155.78
  • RS Stock No. 415-339
  • Mfr. Part No. SC32H-D
Each
£9.72
  • RS Stock No. 914-4326
  • Mfr. Part No. ATDR3
Each
£22.10
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 791-3442
  • Mfr. Part No. A9F54432
Each
£181.77
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 203-2184
  • Mfr. Part No. 5SY6310-7
Each
£68.54
  • RS Stock No. 521-2848
Each (In a Pack of 5)
£2.964
  • RS Stock No. 267-3464
  • Mfr. Part No. 70-010-05/0.5A
Each (In a Pack of 5)
£6.298
  • RS Stock No. 878-1580
  • Mfr. Part No. 0FLM020.T
Each
£10.61
  • RS Stock No. 180-6112
  • Mfr. Part No. 0 130 16
Each (In a Box of 10)
£1.866
  • RS Stock No. 746-8191
  • Mfr. Part No. 2CDS273001R0631 S203M-D63
Each
£99.24
  • RS Stock No. 124-2495
  • Mfr. Part No. 7TCA083670R0600 LK205
Each
£66.31
Better World
  • RS Stock No. 527-9469
  • Mfr. Part No. 2CDS251001R0101 S201-D10
Each
£17.22
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