Comparison of HRC Fuse and Circuit Breakers

Comparison of HRC Fuse and Circuit Breakers Points : comparison of hrc fuse and circuit breakers (i) HRC fuse possess higher rupturing capacity compared to Circuit breakers in the medium voltage range. Fuses with rupturing capacity of 75 MVA (breaking current app. 100 KA) arc available Breakers with corresponding capacity will be too bulky.
(ii) HRC fuses are cheaper than the circuit breakers.
(iii) HRC fuse take less space and are simpler to install and maintain.
(iv) In case of severe faults. HRC fuses open circuits in less than half cycle, i.e., before the current peak is reached. As against this, circuit breakers take 2-3 cycles.
(v) Circuit breakers are however, more advantageous where by the nature of location, environment and duty, the fuses are likely to blow quite often, as replacement cost of fuses is high.
(vi) It takes some time to replace fuse but a circuit breaker can be quickly operated.