All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(111 products available)
A 400a porcelain fuse is a high amperage fuse designed for main power supply protection in large electrical systems. Common applications include protection for large circuits in industrial, commercial, and utility settings.
The 400a porcelain fuse is available in several types, such as:
Cartridge 400 Amp Porcelain Fuse
The cartridge-type 400-amp porcelain fuse is one of the most common types. The fuse element is housed in a porcelain cartridge that protects the internal components from environmental damage. These fuses are popular due to their simple installation and replacement process. They are widely used in industrial machinery, commercial buildings, and large electrical systems.
Expulsion Type Porcelain Fuse
The expulsion type fuse looks different because it has a fuse element that is contained within a porcelain holder that looks like a chamber. It consists of a porcelain body with a fuse element inside and a protective cover that “expels” the melted parts when the fuse blows. These are mainly used in outdoor applications and distribution systems where visibility and manual resetting are important.
Link Type Porcelain Fuse
This type has a fuse link that is mounted in a porcelain holder. The porcelain holder protects the fuse link and the materials around the fuse from getting damaged. It is typically used in low-voltage applications and systems where you can replace the fuse link without replacing the entire holder. Automated production lines and HVAC systems often have link-type fuses.
Back-up Porcelain Fuses
These are referred to as “slow-blow” or “time-delay” porcelain fuses.”. They are designed to handle temporary inrush currents, making them ideal for applications with variable loads or startup surges, such as motors, generators, and transformers.
Heavy Duty Porcelain Fuse
Heavy-duty 400-amp porcelain fuses are designed for use in high-demand industrial or commercial applications. Typical environments would include manufacturing plants with large machinery and electrical loads. They have higher breaking capacities, meaning they can interrupt higher fault currents without failure.
Several important factors should be taken into consideration when selecting the correct 400-amp porcelain fuse for a particular application. The right fuse will protect electrical systems from overloads and short circuitsde.
Amperage Rating
The most crucial aspect of any fuse selection is its amperage rating. A fuse should be higher than the normal operating current of the circuit that it will protect. This means that the 400 amp fuse can handle large currents with sufficient headroom. However, it should not exceed the load's actual current to ensure timely protection.
Voltage Rating
The voltage rating of the fuse should match the system voltage. Using a fuse with a lower voltage rating than the system voltage can have dangerous consequences and may result in system failure or explosion due to the fuse being blown. A 400-amp porcelain fuse should not have its voltage rating checked against the operating voltage of the electrical system for which it was designed.
Breaking Capacity
A fuse's breaking capacity is its ability to interrupt the current flow in the event of a short circuit. It is necessary to select a fuse with a breaking capacity equal to or higher than the possible fault current of the protected circuit. If the breaking capacity is not sufficient, it may mean that the fuse itself will not interrupt the current, resulting in severe damage to the electrical system and even fire.
Response Time
The response time refers to the duration of the fuse in disconnecting the circuit once it experiences overload. This is important when one is selecting a fuse for equipment sensitive to minor current fluctuations. Fast-acting fuses immediately interrupt the current during overload, while slow-acting fuses can allow short inrush currents. One must ensure that one is using the right 400 amp porcelain fuse based on expected current variability.
Application Environment
One's operating environment can also impact fuse selection. In harsh or outdoor environments, exposure to moisture, dust, or extreme temperatures will require a porcelain fuse that is resistant to those environmental factors. Porcelain holders provide protections for fuses in outdoor or industrial environments.
Fuse Holder
Ensure that the fuse holder corresponds with the type of 400-amp porcelain fuse because different fuse types are mounted in different holders. Match the fuse with the appropriate fuse holder for proper connection and performance.
These include necessary maintenance tips and specifications and how best to care for them so that they can best function and last long.
Typical Specifications of a 400-Amp Porcelain Fuse
400 amp porcelain fuses are designed to protect large electrical circuits and generally come with certain specifications, these include:
Materials
A 400-amp porcelain fuse features an internal fuse element made from copper, silver, or alloys of these materials because they possess high conductivity. The outer body of the fuse is made of porcelain or ceramic that protects the internal components from environmental damage. The ceramic material must have good thermal and mechanical strength.
Fuse Element Design
The internal fuse is designed to ensure reliable operation. The elements can either be a single strip or multiple strips. The total amperage capacity will depend on the thickness and configuration of the fuse element.
Temperature Rating
The porcelain fuse should be able to maintain its integrity in temperature changes, especially in environments that experience extreme temperature shifts. Operating in high temperatures can affect the voltage rating or the fuse element, so it is important to monitor the operating temperature closely.
Sizes
400-amp porcelain fuses come in different sizes based on their implementational types and environments. Most importantly, their voltage ratings and fuse links compatibility are also important in considering which 400-amp porcelain fuse to use.
Testing Standards
Many 400-amp porcelain fuses are UL, CSA, and/or IEC testing standards certified. Certified fuses comply with certain performance and safety standards to ensure their reliability.
Regular Inspections
Apart from porcelain fuses, the fuse holders and the surrounding electrical boxes or panels should also be visually checked frequently. Make it a habit to check for signs of damage, cracking on the fuse or heating, as well as burning or arcing. Inspect the wires for any damage or exposed wires, as well as any residue build-up as this can be dangerous to the equipment. Schedule consistent checks to identify and replace blown or faulty fuses on time.
Cleansing
Dust, dirt, and other kinds of debris can easily accumulate on porcelain fuses over time. The debris can also accumulate on fuse holders resulting in electrical failure. Ensure proper cleaning, especially in outdoor environments where pollution and weather conditions can lead to debris accumulation. Use a damp, soft cloth to remove the residue from the fuse to avoid scratching it. Never use water that will leave moisture on the fuse as this can potentially cause internal arcing.
Handling
Ceramic 400-amp fuses are quite fragile; understand that its components can shatter and break because they are made of porcelain or ceramic material. Therefore, during cleaning and replacements, one must be very careful not to touch or mishandle any of these materials. In the case that the fuse breaks, it must be handled cautiously to avoid injury. Also, avoid dropping the fuse or exposing too much to temperature fluctuations because this stress it and may cause cracks to develop.
Moisture and Humidity
Excess moisture can also affect the performance of porcelain as it can internally excavate the fuse element. It can also lead to poor electrical connection and eventual failure. That is why it is important not to constantly allow the fuse to be in contact with wet as well as humid conditions. If the fuses are in an environment that experiences high humidity, use appropriate moisture barriers to prevent the effect of condensation on the fuse and fuse holder.
Heat and Overloading
Overheating or exposing the fuse to high temperatures can cause the porcelain to crack or weaken the internal fuse element. Porcelain fuses are ideal for high temperature, but then, it is best to monitor the operating conditions to ensure that neither the environment nor the load exceeds the fuse's temperature limit. Proper ventilation or airflow contributes to the maintenance of the right operating temperature of the fuse.
A1.The fuse ‘blow’ condition refers to the point where a fuse authority will interrupt the electrical circuit to sustain a 400 amp porcelain fuse normal operational conditions. Exceeding this limit will cause the fuse to blow and disconnect power. The fuse element experiences higher than rated currents in normal operational conditions, causing it to melt and separating the materials and components.
A2.The fuse in porcelain is used in industrial, commercial, and utility electrical systems. It is also used as protection for large currents for circuits and provides reliability and safety in high-amperage electrical environments. Typical applications include electrical systems in power distribution, manufacturing, HVAC, and commercial buildings.
A3.When a porcelain fuse of 400 amperes blows, the internal fuse element has melted due to the overload of current. This ceased the flow of electricity in the protected circuit, thereby preventing damage to any equipment. It has caused a major disruption as [[in power transmission,]] the blown fuse must be removed and replaced to restore the system.
A4.While replacing a blown 400-amp porcelain fuse is possible for qualified personnel who understand the inherent electrical dangers involved, it is better off being left to professionals who know how to deal with this safely. Moreover, safety precautions to affect include turning off the main power and discharging stored energy capacitors. A mistake in replacing the fuse can cause a lot of damage, not just to the system but to the person replacing it as well.
A5. Yes, a 400A porcelain fuse can certainly be utilized in the outdoor electrical systems exposure to environmental elements. The porcelain material used is resistant to moisture, dust, and extreme weather. Additionally, outdoor electrical systems are protected from damage by the elements by using a 400-amp porcelain fuse.
