Plug fuses offer easy, space-saving protection from overloads and short circuits in control panels, motor controls, electronics and more. With a cylindrical body, wide range of ratings and global approvals, GRL fuses are designed for optimal performance and convenience.
Contact our technical experts to find the right plug fuse for your application. High quality products, short lead times and excellent customer service are assured.
Plug fuses, also known as cartridge fuses, are compact, cylindrical fuses that are widely used for circuit protection in industrial controls, switchgear, and electronic devices. Ease of installation and replacement makes plug fuses a convenient option compared to blade fuses or fuse holders.
Plug fuses consist of a plastic or fiber body that houses a fusible element. The most common sizes are 5x20mm and 6.3x32mm which can directly plug into equipment fuse clips or terminals. Cartridge fuses are available in fast-acting and time-delay varieties to suit specific applications.
With plug fuses, overcurrent protection can be easily incorporated into control panels, motor starters, power supplies and electronic circuits without needing large fuse holders or disconnects. Their cylindrical shape packs reliable protection in a small footprint.
There are several construction standards and styles for plug fuses covering different voltage and current ratings.
Ceramic cartridge fuses have a cylindrical body made from ceramic material that provides high dielectric strength and thermal stability. The internal fuse element may be enclosed in glass or mica laminations. Ceramic fuses are typically used for circuits up to 300V.
Instead of ceramic, tubular glass is used for constructing the plug fuse body in glass types. The fuse element wires are visible. Glass bodied plug fuses provide general purpose protection for lower voltage electronic and electrical circuits.
These plug fuses have blade type terminals at the ends that plug directly into equipment fuse clips, providing easy fuse replacement. Automotive fuses are a common example using this style.
Bolted terminal cartridge fuses have threaded studs at the end that bolt into sockets on equipment or busbars. This style offers very secure physical and electrical connection.
For protection of semiconductor devices and power electronics circuits, fast acting electronic fuses are available. These incorporate advanced fusible elements and filler for current limitation.
Common voltage ratings for plug fuses are:
Lower voltage fuses may be telecom/signal rated. DC rated fuses are also available.
Plug fuses cover a wide range of current ratings, including:
The appropriate current rating depends on circuit load current and design margins.
International standard IEC 60127 defines the commonly used 5x20mm and 6.3x32mm plug fuse sizes. Regional standards like UL 248 also apply.
Fast acting fuses operate in less than 0.1 seconds, while time delay plug fuses take 0.1 to 10 seconds to respond depending on current overload. Faster fuses protect semiconductors, while time delay fuses are for motors.
Some plug fuses offer built-in blown fuse indication contacts or LED indicators to allow remote monitoring. High rupture capacity and current limiting fuses are also available.
Plug fuses offer various benefits that make them a versatile protection solution:
The simplicity and convenience of plug fuses makes circuit protection highly efficient.
Plug fuses are very popular for the following applications:
Essentially, any application where limited space makes fuse holders impractical can benefit from plug fuses.
Adhering to fuse manufacturer guidelines and electrical codes ensures safe and reliable installation:
This avoids issues like nuisance tripping or lack of protection during faults.
Repeated blowing of plug fuses indicates an underlying issue that should be addressed:
Identifying and correcting the root cause of fuse failure improves reliability.
GRL supplies an extensive range of fuses suitable for global requirements:
GRL fuses are certified for:
We have the right fuse for your specific needs.
Private labeling, custom packaging and pre-installed fuses are available for OEM customers.
GRL supplies plug fuses worldwide through distribution partners in North America, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa regions.
A plug fuse is a compact, cylindrical cartridge fuse that can be directly plugged into equipment fuse holders or terminals for easy installation and replacement.
Common types are ceramic body, glass body, electronic, blade terminal and bolted terminal. Different body materials, terminal styles and ratings are available.
The most widely used plug fuse sizes are 5x20mm and 6.3x32mm. Other sizes like 5x15mm or 10.3x38mm exist for specific applications.
Plug fuses provide overcurrent protection in control panels, motor controls, switchgear, electronics and other electrical equipment where space is limited.
Typical plug fuse voltage ratings range from 32V for electronics up to 600VAC for power circuits and 1000V+ for special applications.
Plug fuses can be directly pulled out and inserted into equipment fuse clips or terminals. Power must be disconnected before fuse replacement.
Replacement fuses must be identical rating to ensure proper protection. Using higher rated fuses can risk equipment damage from sustained overcurrents.
A blown plug fuse will have a broken internal element visible through the fuse body. Absence of continuity when tested with a multimeter also indicates a blown fuse.
Fuses blow from either a short circuit or sustained overload exceeding the fuse current rating. The root cause like a fault, derated insulation or undersized fuses must be corrected.
Fast acting fuses open in under 0.1 seconds, while time-delay fuses take 0.1 to 10 seconds to respond depending on overload level.
Always replace with a fuse of identical voltage, current rating and size as the original. Refer equipment manual or fuse labeling for specifications.
If the fuse holder accepts cylindrical fuses and the ratings match, a plug fuse can physically fit and work electrically in a holder.
Ceramic body fuses have a cylindrical body made from ceramic material that provides high dielectric strength for interrupting arcs during blows.
Glass fuses have bodies made of tough, tubular glass instead of ceramic. They are more commonly used for lower voltage ratings than ceramic types.
Yes, some plug fuses feature silicone rubber end caps and seals to prevent water ingress, for applications that require water resistance.
Plug fuses are widely available from electronics and electrical distributors, component retailers and direct from manufacturers like GRL.
Leading plug fuse brands include GRL, Littelfuse, Bel Fuse, Schurter, ETI, Mersen, SIBA and EFEN.
Common standards include IEC 60127, UL 248 for low voltage fuses and EN/IEC 60269 for general purpose fuses.
Follow fuse orientation markings, ensure secure contact insertion into clips, tighten bolted studs properly and make connections as per wiring diagram.
Some plug fuses have blown fuse indication contacts or LEDs. Checking for continuity manually or remote monitoring can also identify blown fuses.
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