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Fuse cutout

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Cutout (left) attached to a feeder line (connection at the right not shown). The lower wire goes to the transformer
A set of pole top cutouts protecting a transformer on a 12.47 kV distribution line. One fuse is blown and the white tube is hanging down

In electrical distribution, a fuse cutout or cut-out fuse is a combination of a fuse and a switch, used in primary overhead feeder lines and taps to protect distribution transformers from current surges and overloads. An overcurrent caused by a fault in the transformer or customer circuit will cause the fuse to melt, disconnecting the transformer from the line. It can also be opened manually by utility linemen standing on the ground and using a long insulating stick called a "hot stick".

Components

A cutout consists of three major components:

  • The cutout body, an open "C"-shaped frame that supports the fuse holder and a ribbed porcelain or polymer insulator that electrically isolates the conductive portions of the assembly from the support to which the insulator is fastened.
  • The fuse holder, also called the "fuse tube" or "door", an insulating tube which contains the replaceable fuse element. When the contained fuse melts ("blows"), it opens the circuit, and the fuse holder drops out of the upper contact and hangs from a hinge on its lower end. This hanging fuse holder provides a visible indication that the fuse has operated and assurance that the circuit is open. The circuit can also be opened manually by pulling out the fuse holder using a hot stick.
  • The fuse element, or "fuse link", is the replaceable portion of the assembly that melts and breaks the circuit when the electric current through it exceeds its rated current value.

The fuse holder may be replaced by a solid blade, which would allow the fuse holder assembly to be used as a switch only.

Construction

The fuse elements used in most distribution cutouts are tin or silver alloy wires that melt when subjected to high enough current. Ampere ratings of fuse elements vary from 1 ampere to 200 amperes.

Cutouts are typically mounted about 20 degrees off vertical so that the center of gravity of the fuse holder is displaced and the fuse holder will rotate and fall open under its own weight when the fuse blows. Mechanical tension on the fuse link normally holds an ejector spring in a stable position. When the fuse blows, the released spring pulls the stub of the fuse link out of the fuse holder tube to reduce surge duration and damage to the transformer and fuse holder. This quenches any arc in the fuse holder.

Each fuse holder typically has an attached pull ring that can be engaged by a hook at the end of a fiberglass hot stick operated by a lineworker standing on the ground or from a bucket truck, to manually open the switch. While often used for switching, the standard cutout shown is not designed to be manually opened under load. For applications where the switch is likely to be used to interrupt power manually, a "load break" version is available that has an attachment to quench the arc.

Standards

Up until the mid-1990s each manufacturer used their own dimensional standards for cutout design; by the late 1990s most cutouts were of an "interchangeable design". This design allows for the interchangeable use of cutout bodies and fuse holders manufactured by different vendors.


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