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Fuses

Fuses are essential safety components designed to protect electrical circuits from overcurrent and short circuits. When the electrical current exceeds a safe level the fuse element melts which breaks the circuit and prevents potential damage to equipment or wiring.

Fuses are commonly found in household appliances, consumer units, and industrial control panels. They help prevent fires, electrical faults, and equipment failure. Unlike circuit breakers which can be reset, fuses are single-use devices that must be replaced after activation.

RS offers a comprehensive range of fuses from leading brands. Many of these products are part of our Better World range, helping you make more sustainable choices without compromising on performance. With Next Day Delivery available, you can get the components you need—fast.

Types of Fuse

Although the most commonly known is probably the cartridge type, there are several other kinds of fuses available on the market for different applications, including:

Cartridge fuses can come in form of glass fuses, as well as ceramic or porcelain. They are relatively easy to change and come in different standard ratings you can choose from. To select the right rating the rule of thumb is to select a rating that is slightly higher than the one needed by the device to function. This will allow for the fuse to prevent damage when the voltage gets too high, without the need for switching off the electrical power in conditions of slight, harmless, power enhancement. See our complete guide to Fuses

Fuses are also available in kits to cover various uses beyond industrial appliances, such as the fuse kits available from the RS Pro range.