How to Tell if a Fuse Is a Fast- or Slow-Blow?

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A fuse is a sacrificial device that is meant to suffer the damage caused by a surge of electrical current running through a device. When the fuse becomes blown, you can just replace it instead of needing to buy a new device entirely. Fuses differ in the way they are blown by a current resulting in one type of fuse that blows immediately upon taking in a peak of electricity while the other is able to sustain a spike and will gradually blow out after absorbing the shock.

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Step 1

Look around the fuse for a large label or sticker. This label should be a manufacturer's label and will indicate the speed at which the fuse will blow.

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Step 2

Read the manufacturer's label, if it says fast or slow, the fuse type is as it is labeled. If it says F it means the fuse is a fast-blow, and if it says T or S it means it is a slow-blow. Other letters will indicate unique fuses for your specific device.

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Step 3

Feel for raised lettering on the case of the fuse itself if you cannot find a sticker or label. This lettering will be imprinted on the fuse housing and identify the fuse in the same way the label would.

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Step 4

Check the fuse itself to make a clear identification. You may need to use a magnifying glass to see the fuse details if it is small or in an inaccessible location.

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Step 5

Look through the tube of the fuse glass and check the wire filament within. If there is a thin wire, you have a fast-blow fuse. If you see a thick wire that has a very small spring at one end, you will know it is a slow-blow fuse.

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