light the fuse - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about light the fuse Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,580,100,451 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

fuse
(redirected from light the fuse)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia 0.01 sec.

fuse

In electricity, a wire or strip of metal designed to melt (thus breaking the circuit) when excessive current passes through. It is a safety device that halts surges of current that would otherwise damage equipment and cause fires. In explosives, a fuse is a cord impregnated with chemicals so that it burns slowly at a predetermined rate. It is used to set off a main explosive charge, sufficient length of fuse being left to allow the person lighting it to get away to safety.

In an electrical fuse, current flow converts electrical energy into heat energy, increasing the temperature of the fuse material. As more current flows, the temperature of the material rises; at a certain current the material melts, thus interrupting the current flow.

Different types of electrical equipment require differently-rated fuses depending upon how much current can flow without damaging the equipment. For example, some equipment requires a 13 amp fuse and some a 3 amp fuse.



How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

Mentioned in?  References in periodicals archive?   Hutchinson browser?   Full browser?
 
Killer and Rocket forgot to light the fuse on their defences, allowing Bullet and the gang to cut and run, and avoid making the defining decision there and then.
Great Balls of Fire, didn't quite light the fuse, but gradually Dave Hill (the pipe-smoking Tempest) stirs them up and there is a big improvement in the tempo after the interval.
Out of training, he and Light The Fuse spend their time with former racehorses Mr Jamboree, Serious and The Lady Scores, who are all enjoying their retirement together.
 
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.