Definition

1. Noun:
   • A safety device in an electrical circuit: An electrical fuse is a component designed to protect electrical circuits by breaking the connection when the current exceeds a safe level, preventing damage or fire.

Usage

• An electrical fuse is a critical safety component found in various devices and building wiring.
• It is used to describe the specific component that "blows" or "melts" to stop the flow of electricity.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The toaster stopped working because the electrical fuse blew.
  • Always check the electrical fuse before assuming the appliance is broken.
  • Modern homes have a circuit breaker panel, but many older devices still use individual electrical fuses.

Advanced Usage

• "to blow a fuse": This idiom means for a fuse to melt and break the circuit. It is also used figuratively to mean to become very angry.
  • The power surge caused the electrical fuse to blow.
  • (Figurative) He blew a fuse when he saw the mess in the kitchen.

Variants and Related Words

• Fuse (n): A common short form for "electrical fuse."
  • I need to replace a fuse in the plug.
• Fusebox (n): A box containing the fuses for a building's electrical circuits.
  • The main fusebox is in the basement.
• Circuit Breaker (n): A modern device that serves a similar protective function as a fuse but can be reset.
  • The circuit breaker tripped during the storm.

Synonyms

• Safety fuse: A term emphasizing its protective purpose.
• Overcurrent protection device: A more technical term.

Related Phrases

• Fuse wire: The thin wire inside a fuse that melts.
  • The fuse wire is designed to melt at a specific current.

Noun

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