GB2063589A

GB2063589A - Fuse carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2063589A
Application number: GB7938110A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Manolescue P J
Current assignee: Manolescue P J
Priority date: 1979-11-02
Filing date: 1979-11-02
Publication date: 1981-06-03

Abstract

A fuse carrier (1) for fitting in a fusebox incorporates a neon indicating lamp (8) and a protecting resistor (9) in parallel with the fuse element (7). As long as supply current is flowing through the fuse element (7), the lamp (8) will remain unilluminated, but as soon as the current is interrupted, for example due to the fuse being overloaded, the lamp (8) will be illuminated and will remain illuminated until the fuse carrier (1) is removed from the fusebox. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fuse carrier This invention relates to a fuse carrier, and is concerned more particularly, but not exclusively, with a fuse carrier of a type adapted to be removable fitted in a fusebox.

Domestic fuseboxes commonly comprise a bank of sockets each of which is fitted with a cartridge fuse or semi-enclosed fuse of an appropriate rating to protect the electrical circuit with wicn the socket is associated. With such an arrangement it is not possible to ascertain whether a fuse has blown except by switching off the electrical supply at the fusebox and removing the appropriate fuse carrier from the fusebox (or all the fuse carriers where it is not known which fuses protect which electrical circuits) and inspecting the fuse element. Even inspection of the fuse element may provide an unreliable indication as to whether or not the fuse has blown since that part of the fuse element which has melted may be hidden by a part of the fuse carrier.It is an object of this invention to provide a fuse carrier in use of which it is possible to see whether the fuse has blown without it being necessary to switch off the electrical supply or remove the fuse carrier from the fusebox.

According to the invention, there is provided a fuse carrier for fitting in a fusebox, wherein the fuse carrier incorporates an indicating lamp which, in use, is illuminated when the fuse has blown.

The fuse carrier may be of the cartridge type or of the semi-enclosed type. In either case the lamp is preferably so disposed in the fuse carrier that it is readily visible when the fuse carrier is fitted in the fusebox. For example the lamp may project through an opening in a body portion of the fuse carrier.

The arrangement is such that, as long as supply current is flowing through the fuse element, the lamp will remain unilluminated, but, as soon as this current is interrupted, either due to the fuse being overloaded or simply due to the fuse element being removed, the lamp will be illuminated and will remain illuminated until the fuse carrier is removed from the fusebox for replacement of the fuse element or of the complete fuse carrier.

The indicating lamp is preferably a neon lamp. In one embodiment a protecting resistor is electrically connected in series with the lamp, the series arrangement being connected between the terminals of the fuse carrier.

The fuse carrier may be adapted for use with either an alternating current supply (50 Hz or 60 Hz) or a direct current supply, and the nominal voltage of the supply may be 110 V, 220 V or 240-250 V for example.

The fuse carrier is of particular application to a conventional domestic fusebox in which case the fuse carrier may be provided with two spaced projecting contacts for engaging corresponding counter-contacts in the fusebox, and a shaped body which is capable of being gripped to enable removal of the fuse carrier from the fusebox. The body of the fuse carrier is preferably substantially rectangular when viewed from the front having a length in the range from 40 to 100 millimetres, most preferably 50 to 75 millimetres, and a width in the range from 10 to 50 millimeters, most preferably 20 to 30 millimetres. The contacts preferably project from 30 to 40 millimetres as measured from the front of the fuse carrier and are spaced apart by a distance from 10 to 70 millimetres, most preferably 1 5 to 30 millimetres.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the fuse carrier fitted in an electrical installation; Figure 2 is a view from the side of the fuse carrier; and Figure 3 is a view from the rear of the fuse carrier.

Referring to Fig. 1, the fuse carrier 1 is installed in a conventional domestic fusebox 2 so as to connect the live conductor of an alternating current utility supply 3 of 240 V nominal voltage and 50 Hz nominal frequency to the live conductor of a domestic user supply 4 to supply a load such as an electric light 5 on closure of a switch 6. The fuse carrier 1 is provided with a fuse element 7 of a rating suitable to protect the load supplied.

In parallel with the fuse element 7 is a neon indicating lamp 8 and a protecting resistor 9.

When the circuit is overloaded the fuse element 7 blowsflnd the lamp 8 is illuminated indicating that the fuse element 7 is in need of replacement. Once the fuse element 7 has been replaced, the lamp 8 is extinguished.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the construction of the fuse carrier 1 in more detail. The fuse carrier 1 is of the semi-enclosed type capable of being removably fitted in a fusebox and having a shaped body 1 2 of substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front provided with flanges 1 3 enabling gripping of the fuse carrier 1 in order to remove it from the fusebox. Attached to the body 1 2 are screw terminals 1 4 having integral projecting contacts 1 5 adapted to be received in a socket in the fusebox. Each screw terminal 14 comprises two screws. The fuse element 7 is electrically connected at its ends to the terminals 14 by means of the outermost screws and, intermediate its ends, extends through apertures 1 6 in the terminals 14 and an insulating fuse support sleeve 1 7 (which is not shown in Fig. 2 so as to render that figure easier to read). The indicating lamp 8 and protecting resistor 9 are connected to the terminals 14 by means of the innermost screws, the lamp 8 extending through a hole 18 in the body 12.

This illustrated fuse carrier conforms to British Standard 3036:1958.

Claims

1. A fuse carrier for fitting in a fusebox, wherein the fuse carrier incorporates an indicating lamp which, in use, is illuminated when the fuse has blown.

2. A fuse carrier according to claim 1, being of the cartridge type.

3. A fuse carrier according to claim 1, being of the semi-enclosed type.

4. A fuse carrier according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lamp is so disposed in the fuse carrier that it is readily visible when the fuse carrier is fitted in the fusebox.

5. A fuse carrier according to claim 4, wherein the lamp projects through an opening in a body portion of the fuse carrier.

6. A fuse carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicating lamp is a neon lamp.

7. A fuse carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein a protecting resistor is electrically connected in series with the lamp, the series arrangement being connected between the terminals of the fuse carrier.

8. A fuse carrier according to any preceding claim, provided with two spaced projecting contacts for engaging corresponding counter-contacts in the fusebox, and having a shaped body which is capable of being gripped to enable removal of the fuse carrier from the fusebox.

9. A fuse carrier for fitting in a fusebox, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A fusebox incorporating one or more fuse carriers in accordance with any preceding claim.