Thread: What else do we want?
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Unread 23-06-2002, 23:19
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Re: 60 amp fuse problems...
Posted by Thomas A. Frank.

Engineer on team #121, The Islanders/Rhode Warrior, from Middletown (RI) High School and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Posted on 7/19/2000 1:24 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: 60 amp fuse problems... posted by James Jones on 7/5/2000 11:19 AM MST:



: Anecdotaly (sp?) I think the fuses degrade with severe use over time


Hello All;

That is a correct belief. Fuses have a definite 'lifespan'. Even when operated below their rated limit, the link heats up slightly, and over time begins to crystalize. Eventually, it fails, sometimes well below the rated value. If you have a fuse blow in your home electrical panel, and it isn't from an overload, buy a box of spares because the rest will likely be going in the not to distant future (actually, consider replacing the panel with circuit breakers, but I digress).

If you operate a fuse above it's rated current (in this case 60 amps), this process will accelerate substantially. We reached the point at the NJ regional where the fuse would only last 2 rounds, even though we were still 'on the curve'. We replaced the fuse every round, and regeared for the Nationals.


Perhaps with a little luck, next year we will get a circuit breaker instead of the 60 amp fuse. Much easier to turn the machine on and off, and not subject to the deterioration problems that fuses are (at least, not in the timeframe we work in...).

Tom Frank


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