The 11 best glass fuse brands
Littelfuse, Mersen and uxcell lead our ranking of 11 glass fuse brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Glass Fuse brands, ranked
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1
Littelfuse
Fast-acting and slow-blow 3AG and 5x20mm glass cartridges dominate the range, with inline holders alongside them.
Top products: ACS 3AG Inline Glass Fuse Holder
Website: littelfuse.com |Brands like Littelfuse
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Mersen
Industrial-grade fuse links and holders for power distribution, far heavier-duty than typical hobby glass fuses.
Website: mersen.com |Brands like Mersen
Popularity 9.9/10
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3
uxcell
Low-cost assortments of small glass fuses sold in bulk packs, mainly sourced directly from Chinese factories.
Website: uxcell.com |Brands like uxcell
Popularity 3.5/10
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4
Eaton
Its Bussmann line covers the widely used 5x20mm and 6.3x32mm glass fuses for electronics and vehicles.
Popularity 2.1/10
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5
GE
GE Lighting has been leading the lighting technology industry for over 130 years. Its mission is to provide customers with a first-class smart home experience. To do so, it has created novel lighting products designed to improve one's lifestyle and the overall ambiance of the house, no matter the setting. It values innovation and reliability, which has propelled it to reach the levels of fame it has today.
Website: gelighting.com |Brands like GE
Popularity 1.9/10
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6
Gould
Gould produces string instruments such as basses and guitars along with related accessories. Its founder Geoff Gould patented the striking graphite neck design of guitars and basses. The instruments made by Gould are available in two series. They are the Standard series and Custom series. As for the other accessories, Gould produces strings and t-shirts. The Gould products can be bought by the dealers listed on their website.
Popularity 1.2/10
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7
NTE
Teachers, technicians and hobbyists building or repairing circuits need transistors, integrated circuits and electrolytic capacitors, and NTE supplies these semiconductor parts. The New Jersey company also sells wire cable and adapters, with its products offered both online and through physical distributors.
Website: nteinc.com |Brands like NTE
Popularity 1.2/10
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8
Leviton
Leviton makes wall switches, wall plates, light switch covers and other wiring devices used in homes and commercial buildings. Its dimmers, outlets and lighting controls are sold across the United States and are used in both residential and industrial installations.
Website: leviton.com |Brands like Leviton
Popularity 0.7/10
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9
Blue Sea Systems
Established in Bellingham, Washington, in 1992 by Scott Renne, the Blue Sea Systems manufacture and designs the products for marine, emergency vehicle, and renewable energy electrical systems in both AC and DC poultices. They have spread across the map, tieing...
Website: bluesea.com |Brands like Blue Sea Systems
Popularity 0.6/10
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10
ITT
ITT manufactures engineered components for industrial and transport markets. Its catalog includes electronic parts such as wire and cable, solenoid valves, transistors and vacuum tubes. The company draws on decades of engineering experience.
Website: itt.com |Brands like ITT
Popularity 0.4/10
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11
Fuji
Fuji builds electrical protection and switching equipment through Fuji Electric, including molded case and earth leakage circuit breakers. Its line includes vacuum circuit breakers for reliable, low-maintenance operation and the GLOBAL-TWIN MCCB. Motor breakers are designed to avoid nuisance trips...
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littelfuse | littelfuse.com | /Littelfuse | littelfuse | @littelfuse | Littelfuse |
| Mersen | mersen.com | /Mersen | – | – | MersenGroup |
| uxcell | uxcell.com | – | – | – | – |
| GE | gelighting.com | /GELighting | gelighting | @GELighting | GELightingFuture |
| NTE | nteinc.com | /nteelectronics | – | @NTEElectronics | – |
| Leviton | leviton.com | /leviton | leviton | @leviton | – |
| Blue Sea Systems | bluesea.com | /Blue-Sea-Systems | – | @blueseasystems | – |
| ITT | itt.com | /ITTInc | – | @ITT_Inc | ITTCorp |
Glass Fuse Buying Guide
Glass fuses are essential for electronic devices to protect them from potential power surges and electrical overloads. These fuses play a critical role in preventing damage to electrical circuits and appliances by breaking the circuit when too much current flows through. Hence, it is crucial to know the different types of glass fuses available in the market and what to look for before buying them. This article provides a guide to help you buy the right glass fuse for your requirements.
Types of Glass Fuses
Before selecting a glass fuse, it is crucial to understand its types and uses. There are two types of glass fuses: fast-acting fuses and slow-blow fuses.
1. Fast-acting Fuses
Fast-acting fuses are also known as Quick-acting fuses or Fuses with no time delay. They operate quickly, and thus, these fuses break the circuit as soon as the current exceeds its rated value. These fuses are ideal for electronic devices that can handle a higher amount of transient currents.
2. Slow-Blow Fuses
Slow-Blow fuses are also known as time-delayed fuses. These types of fuses have a small delay before operating, which means that they can handle a slightly higher amount of current for a short duration. Slow-Blow Fuses operate with a slight delay but protect the fuses when the load is slowly increased from an initial low value.
Factors to Consider While Buying a Glass Fuse
When searching for the right glass fuse, it is important to consider a few critical factors such as voltage, current rating, and size.
1. Voltage Rating
It is essential to select a fuse with the correct voltage rating since selecting the wrong voltage rating can damage the appliance even if there is no current overload. The voltage rating indicates the highest voltage that the fuse can withstand. Operating electrical equipment with a fuse of lower voltage ratings can cause the fuse to explode and damage the device.
2. Current Rating
The current rating is the maximum amount of current that the fuse can carry without breaking the circuit. The optimal current rating of the fuse can be calculated by measuring the device's maximum operating current. Selecting a glass fuse with a low current rating can cause it to blow frequently, while a high rating can allow too much current and potentially damage the device. Hence, it is important to select the right current rating of the fuse.
3. Size
The size of the fuse is as important as the current and voltage ratings. A fuse that is too small will be destroyed prematurely, leading to frequent replacement, while a massive fuse can take more current than the device can handle. It is crucial to choose the right size that is compatible with the device while allowing room for reasonable variations in the current range.
Types of Glass Fuses Connections
Glass Fuses come with different types of connections, and it is important to understand each type before buying the fuses.
1. Axial Glass Fuses
Axial Glass fuses have a cylindrical shape and are commonly known as leaded fuses. They typically have thin leads on both sides to connect to the equipment. These fuses are ideal for low-current applications and electronic equipment such as radios, televisions, and small appliances.
2. Radial Glass Fuses
Radial Glass fuses have a rectangular or cylindrical shape with larger leads than Axial Glass fuses. These types of fuses can carry larger currents and are mainly used in power supplies, inverters, and other electrical appliances.
3. Surface-Mounted Fuses
Surface-Mounted Fuses are designed for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other surface-mounted equipment. They are beneficial for space-constrained devices and are made to connect directly to the circuit board, which saves space and reduces the risk of electrical interference.
4. Cartridge Glass Fuses
Cartridge Glass fuses are cylindrical shaped and are commonly used in household and industrial applications. They can handle high currents and are ideal for fuse panels and circuit breakers in residential and commercial properties.
How to Replace Glass Fuses
Replacing a glass fuse can sometimes be tricky, especially if you have never done it before. However, the following steps can help you replace a blown glass fuse.
1. Switch Off the Equipment
The first step is to disconnect the equipment from the power source and switch it off to prevent any electrical accidents.
2. Locate the Fuse
The next step is to locate the fuse by referring to the equipment's instruction manual. If you don't have the manual, you can usually find the fuse near the power cable connection, inside a fuse box or behind the control panel.
3. Remove the Blown Fuse
The blown fuse can be removed by pulling it out from the fuse holder. Use a fuse extractor to remove the fuse in tight spaces or hard-to-reach areas.
4. Check the Fuse Rating
Before purchasing a new fuse, it is important to check the rating and voltage of the blown fuse. Typically, this information can be found on the fuse's metal end caps or in the equipment's instruction manual.
5. Insert the New Fuse
Once you have the new fuse, carefully place it into the fuse holder and push it gently until it snaps into place. Never force the fuse into the holder as this can cause further damage to the equipment.
6. Power On the Equipment
After replacing the fuse, switch on the equipment to see if it's working. If the device still doesn't work, it may indicate a more serious electrical issue.
Conclusion
Glass fuses are essential components in our daily technological lives, and choosing the right one is crucial to avoid equipment and electrical damages. Before purchasing a glass fuse, it is important to consider the voltage, current rating, and size of the fuse, as well as the type of connection required for your equipment. By following these tips to choosing and replacing a glass fuse, you can ensure that your devices are protected and function efficiently.
