glödtrådsäkring

Glödtrådsäkring, meaning "filament fuse" in Swedish, refers to a type of electrical fuse that operates by melting a thin wire or filament when the current exceeds a safe level. This filament is typically housed within a non-combustible tube, often made of glass or ceramic. When an overcurrent occurs, the filament heats up due to excessive resistance, melts, and breaks the electrical circuit, thereby protecting the connected equipment from damage.

These fuses were common in older electrical systems and appliances. The melting point of the filament and its thickness determine the fuse's current rating. Once a glödtrådsäkring blows, it must be replaced with a new one of the correct rating. Failure to do so can result in continued overcurrents and potential fire hazards or equipment failure.

Modern electrical safety devices, such as circuit breakers and modern cartridge fuses, have largely replaced glödtrådsäkringar in many applications due to their reusability and often more precise tripping characteristics. However, they can still be found in some vintage equipment, specialized applications, or in regions where older infrastructure persists. The principle of using a sacrificial element to break a circuit under fault conditions remains a fundamental concept in electrical protection.