What is Thermal Fuse and Thermal Switch? Difference
Thermal Fuse and Thermal Switch both are electrical safety devices also known as safety cutoffs. In both electrical and electronic circuits, appliances, and devices they are used. As its name suggests thermal cutoff, so it will break or cut off the circuit, and its operation is related to the thermal operation.
Now let's know what is a Thermal Fuse?
The thermal fuse is a safety device that breaks or cuts off the circuit when the temperature surrounding it exceeds the threshold. There are two mechanisms, depending upon which the thermal fuse works. In mechanism one, a small meltable metal pellet holds down a spring. And this spring supports the contact that makes the electrical connection. So when the temperature was raised the pellet got melt and the spring was released. So the circuit or electrical connection is broken and the circuit will be interrupted.
Another mechanism is similar to a normal electrical fuse. That means a single conductive wire joint has two different circuits that are to be protected. Now when the surrounding temperature of that wire exceeds the threshold temperature, the wire will be melt and will disconnect the circuit.
Difference between Thermal Fuse and Normal Electrical Fuse
In a thermal fuse, the fuse element is melted by an external temperature source. So an external temperature surrounding the fusing element will cause it to melt the fuse element. on the other hand, in a normal electrical fuse, the temperature is generated by the ohmic heating of the fusing element. That means when excessive current or overcurrent flows through the fusing element heat will be produced in that fusing element and more heat will cause it to melt the fusing element.
Thermal Fuse Use: Thermal fuses are used in heat-producing devices such as Hair Dryers, Coffee makers, Hot Blowers, and portable heaters. Here, the main function of a thermal fuse is to disconnect the main power supply when the temperature exceeds more due to automatic cutoff failure or thermostat failure.
What is a Thermal Switch?
A thermal switch is also an electrical safety device that normally opens the circuit when the temperature rises and again recloses the circuit when the temperature goes down. Unlike a thermal fuse, the thermal switch can be reusable. In the thermal fuse, once the fusing element has melted it should be replaced by a new one but in the case of a thermal switch, there are no fusing elements to melt.
There are also two mechanisms the thermal switch works. In the first mechanism, there is a bimetallic strip that is connected to each other in the normal condition. So when the temperature rises bimetallic strip expansion happens and they disconnect from each other. When the temperature decreased, again the bimetallic strips connected to each other.
Another method is the PTC Thermistor or Positive Temperature Coefficient Thermistor. Here, when the temperature rises the resistance of the thermistor is increased and blocks the current flow. The PTC thermistor thermal switch does not act as a true switch because in normal conditions also, it provides some resistance to the flow of current.
Thermal Switch Use: Thermal switch is used in Microwave ovens, Refrigerators, Electrical heating, and cooling systems, HVAC devices, clothes dryers, space heaters, etc.
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What is Thermal Fuse and Thermal Switch? Difference
Reviewed by Author
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March 07, 2022
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Reviewed by Author
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March 07, 2022
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