electrical fuse

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Explanation of "Electrical Fuse"

Definition:
An electrical fuse is a small device used in electrical systems to protect against too much electricity flowing through the wires. When the flow of electricity is too high (this is called an overload), the fuse "blows" or breaks, stopping the electricity from flowing. This helps prevent damage to electrical devices or even fires.

Usage Instructions:

• Where it is used: You will find electrical fuses in homes, cars, and many electrical appliances.
• How it works: When too much electricity passes through the fuse, a thin wire inside it melts or breaks, stopping the electrical current.

Example Sentence:

• "When the lights went out, I checked the electrical fuse and found it had blown."

Advanced Usage:

• In discussions about electrical systems, you might hear terms like "fuse box" (the place where multiple fuses are housed) or "fuse rating" (the maximum current a fuse can handle before it blows).

Word Variants:

• Fused (adjective): This can describe something that has been melted together, like "fused glass."
• Fuse (verb): To join things together, like in "to fuse metals."

Different Meanings:

• The word fuse can also refer to a device used in explosives to ignite them or to combine different elements, such as flavors in cooking.

Synonyms:

• Breaker (specifically, a circuit breaker, which is a more modern device that can be reset).
• Protector (in a more general sense, as it protects electrical systems).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are not many idioms specifically about electrical fuses, but you might hear phrases like "blow a fuse," which means to get very angry or lose your temper, similar to how a fuse blows when overloaded.

Summary:

An electrical fuse is a safety device that stops the flow of electricity when it is too high, protecting people and devices from harm.

Academic

Noun

1. an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded

Synonyms

• fuse
• safety fuse