What is the difference between a resistor and a resistor fuse, and can a fuse resistor replace a regular resistor? 2

The primary function of a resistor fuse

The resistor fuse, also known as a fuse or fuse resistor, is designed to serve as a safety protection device in electrical circuits. When the current in the circuit exceeds the preset value, the resistor fuse will melt (open) due to overheating, thereby disconnecting the circuit and preventing equipment damage or fire caused by overcurrent.diode

The core features of resistor fuses are their ability to rapidly respond to overcurrent and their function of physically isolating the circuit after melting. Their design focuses on the capability to interrupt current (rated breaking capacity) and the melting speed, rather than the precise resistance value under normal operating conditions.diode

The difference between a fuse resistor and a regular resistor

Although resistors and resistor fuses share similar names, their functions are entirely different:

● Purpose Difference: Resistors are used to control current, while fuse resistors are designed to cut off the current when it exceeds safe limits.diode

● Functional Differences: Resistors are primarily used for current limiting and voltage division, while resistor fuses are mainly employed for overcurrent protection.

● Principle of Operation Difference: Resistors control the magnitude of current by providing resistance, while fuse resistors cut off the circuit by melting when the current exceeds a certain threshold.diode