Physics
A fuse is always connected in the live wire of the circuit. Explain the reason.
Answer
A fuse is always connected in the live wire of the circuit before the appliance, so that as the current in circuit exceeds the rating of fuse, it melts and breaks the circuit first, before the current reaches the appliance. Thus, no current flows in the appliance.
In case the fuse is connected in the neutral wire and due to some defect in the appliance an excessive current flows in the circuit, the fuse blows off and the current stops flowing in the circuit, but the appliance still remains connected to the high potential point of the supply through the live wire . Now if a person touches the faulty appliance, he gets an electric shock because the person comes in direct contact of the mains through the live wire. Thus, it is highly unsafe to use fuse in the neutral wire.
Related Questions
How is a fuse put in an electric circuit? State the purpose of using a fuse in a circuit.
Name the device used to protect the electric circuits from over loading and short circuit. On what effect of current does it work?
How does the (i) thickness and (ii) length of a fuse wire depend on it's current rating?
Explain the meaning of the statement ‘the current rating of a fuse is 5 A’.