ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Fast acting fuses

Hello all, I am trying to find out if there is such an animal as a 30 amp fact acting edison base fuse. I just installed a radiant heater in my garage, and on the nameplate it requires fast acting fuses, and goes on to list the types. THe problem is the disco I installed, a 30 amp Square D, only takes the edison base fuses. I have checked the Bussman website and it doesn't appear they have the fuse I need. Any other manufacturers to check out or should I change the disco out? Thanks

Jim

Change the fused disconnect out. Oops!

The recommended replacement for the W-30 ( http://www.bussmann.com/library/bifs/1036.pdf )
is below http://www.bussmann.com/library/bifs/1034.pdf

Didn't think you could even get fused disconnects that use plug fuses anymore. Was this something that you had lying around?

actually this is a brand new unit, I think part of the problem is that it was purchased from the orange box. I too was rather surprised to find plug fuses in it. My other option is to install a two pole gfci breaker, but I think its a bit easier to replace the disco. I also found Littel has to fuse I am looking for, now to find somebody that carries them. Does anybody know of any place on the internet to purchase online? Any reasons not to go with the edison base? Besides it being a a pain in the a&& to find the fuses. Thanks

Jim

Also, page 30 at http://www.bussmann.com/shared/library/catalogs/FullLine_Cat.pdf

One vendor is http://www.sacramentoelectronics.com/bussmann/fuse_directory.html

I just have to inject this first.....

"Another testimonial to the quality equipment being sold at the Big Box stores" which goes right along with the 'quality, expert, advice that the "experts" dole out freely"

A great place to get a missing item, in a pinch......but not to substitute for a good old electrical supply house.

Now I know where to get a edison base fused disco....but what about the fuses.

MY ADVICE, rip it out, take it back for a refund, & go get a real fused disco.

John

What is the benefit of using a fused vs. non fused disco? Why would you use fuses vs. a properly sized breaker for instance?

I do have the properly sized breaker for the unit, as per the manufacturer it needs to be fused locally, I will admit I only half read the destructions before getting the parts and missed the part about fast acting, and the disco was only a few dollars more than a fused jb. I will look into getting a new disco. Thanks

Jim

I think we got hung up on the term "fast acting", as pertains to semiconductor fuses, which is a special type of fuse.

I think with regard to plug fuses, any non-time-delay fuse would be considered fast acting. So, I think a standard 30 amp edison base fuse would suffice.