What is the difference between fuse and breaker

Faults detection is performed by relay inside CB. Fully Automatic Process. Automatic and Manual. Operating Time. Working Principle. Fuse works on the heating principle I 2 R i. Circuit breaker works on thermal or thermal magnetic electromagnetism and process is electromechanical. Fuse provides protection against overload. It may also protect over current and short circuits. Circuit breaker provides protection against overload, over current and short-circuits. Breaking capacity. Ambient Temperature.

Fuse is independent of an ambient temperature during operation. Circuit breaker operation is Depends on ambient temperature. Characteristic Curve.

Fuse characteristic curve shifts because of the ageing effect. Fuse can be used only once per operation as it is self destructive. Replacement is must after completed operation. So it is reliable as compared to fuse. Auxiliary Contacts.

No need of Auxiliary contacts in a Fuse. Circuit breakers are available with Auxiliary contacts. Status indication. No status indication of operation during the process. It shows the indication status during operation. The way they disrupt the current flow is dissimilar. A fuse is a simple piece of metal that melts down when overheated because of excessive flow of current whereas a circuit breaker has switching mechanism that is activated when unsafe current flows through the circuit.

Fuses are faster to disrupt the current flow but they must be replaced after a piece of metal melts down, whereas circuit breakers can be reset and used multiple times. The most significant distinguishing factor between fuse and circuit breaker lies in their operational mechanism.

Difference Between Fuse and Circuit Breaker Fuse works on the principle of electrical and thermal properties of the conducting materials whereas the circuit breaker works on the Electromagnetism and Switching principle.

Fuses once used cannot be reused again, but the circuit breaker can be reused. Hence, there is no need to change the circuit breaker after any fault takes place and the coil is tripped. No auxiliary contact is required in the case of fuse but in circuit breaker, auxiliary contact is required. Fuses are independent of ambient temperature, but circuit breaker depends on ambient temperature. The characteristic curve of the Fuse shifts because of the aging effect and, as a result, it causes nuisance and tripping.

The curve of the Circuit Breaker does not shift. The Fuse provides protection against only power overloads whereas circuit breaker provides protection for both power overloads and short circuits. The Fuse provides both detection and interruption processes. The circuit breaker performs only interruption; a relay system is attached for detection of any fault in the circuit.