How to Calculate the Diameter of a Cylindrical Wire for a Fuse?

What is the process to determine the diameter of a cylindrical wire needed to make a fuse that limits the current to a specific value? To calculate the diameter of a cylindrical wire for a fuse, we need to consider the maximum current density at which the material melts, and the desired limit current. The formula to determine the diameter of the wire involves the current limit, maximum current density, and the area of the wire. Let's break down the steps to calculate the diameter:

1. Identify the maximum current density at which the material in the fuse melts. In this case, the maximum current density is 350 A/cm^2.

2. Determine the desired limit current that the fuse should be able to handle. In this example, the limit current is 0.58 A.

3. Use the formula for current density, which is current divided by area, to find the cross-sectional area of the wire. For a cylindrical wire, the area is given by: area = πr^2.

4. Set up the equation for the maximum current density: density_max = current_limit / area.

5. Substitute the values of the maximum current density and the limit current into the equation to solve for the radius (r) of the wire.

6. Calculate the diameter by multiplying the radius by 2, as diameter = 2 * radius.

7. The final result will give you the diameter of the cylindrical wire needed to create a fuse that limits the current to the specified value.

By following these steps and using the given values, you can determine the diameter of the cylindrical wire required for the fuse. This ensures that the fuse will melt when the current exceeds the maximum current density while limiting the current to the desired value.

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