Slo-blo fuses

[2diy4]

Where can I get these fuses? Slo-blo fuses in glass tubes used to be available at some stores in Raon and at the old Radio Shack store in Pasong Tamo Extension.

But now I can't find them at the usual stores. I need them in 1, 1.5 and 2 ampere ratings. If I use fast blo fuses, they burn up. If I use a higher amperage, they may not protect my tube audio equipment.

[stealthy]

if it might be of help, do look for glass fuse with "TL" in the metal cap ends. TL means "time lag" or slow blow fuse.

i'm not exactly sure but F or FA might be "fast acting" or fast blow fuse.

[boboymanalo]

try at electrical equipment along katipunan, near blue ridge, they have a wide range of electrical gadget there.

[2diy4]

The slo-blo fuses I had in the past looked like they had a spring inside. The Radio Shack slo-blo fuses I have are different. They seem to have a glass fiber string inside on which the fuse element is wound.

Thanks. I will ask the katipunan store.

[tscotom]

Try audiophile with many branches at Cinema square...and/or Phasetron at Park Square 1 in front of Quad Cinema.

Phasetron manufactures their own Tube amplis !

[2diy4]

BTW, Phasetron is no longer at Park Square 1. I was there yesterday and they have moved to their head office at FTI.

[stealthy]

i read in a book that normal glass fuse will blow on 200% overload in about 2 seconds. slow blow fuse will blow on 200% overload in about 20 seconds. typically, slow blow fuses are used in circuits where there is a high start-up or in-rush current i.e. motors or filter capacitors.

i hope this helps :)

[2diy4]

Thanks Stealthy. Your information is very useful. I've seen glass normal glass fuses burn in less than 1 second. That probably means that I have been using too low a rating on the fuse of one of my amplifiers.

[stealthy]

your welcome 2diy4. fuse selection is a bit tricky. there's a lot of tests to be done. but one simple way to tell if your fuse is under rated is to operate your amp at the maximum level tolerable (unless you have a dummy load) and check if the fuse element glows or bends. if it does, then it's probably under rated :)

[bbn]

I was taught that fuses are meant to protect the wire and in turn your house from devices drawing too much current and causing a fire.

Am I right in understanding that these slow blow fuses are used so that momentary surges, which are ok, are tolerated?

[2diy4]

Yes. A large transformer or motor will have a current surge at turn on, before back emf kicks in.

A prolonged current surge will still burn out the fuse, protecting the equipment and your house.

[VtEC]

slo blo fuses, are you talking about the time delay fuses?

[stealthy]

yes, as far as i know, slow blow fuse and time delay fuse are the same.

[VtEC]

yes, as far as i know, slow blow fuse and time delay fuse are the same.



thanks.if that's the case, i would prefer the one-time fuse over the time delay.atleast pag one time fuse gamit mo, certain ka na cut agad sya.

[stealthy]

i was looking at some Slo-Blo fuse earlier. these are fuses made by Littelfuse. Slo-blo is a registered trademark of Littelfuse.

another reliable brand of fuse is Bussman.

as what 2diy4 mentioned earlier, one quick way of telling if it's a slow blow fuse is through the element inside. slow blow fuses have a "spring-like" element either free-floating or wound in some white-colored material. i'm not sure but the white-colored material maybe asbestos or ceramic.

straight-single element fuse are most probably normal or fast blow fuse.

[2diy4]

Hi Stealthy. Where did you see the fuses?

[stealthy]

hello 2diy4. i saw the fuses at work, stock parts in one of our labs...

back there at home, AVESCO in Cubao or Avenida might carry them but I checked their website but failed to find Littelfuse or Bussman in their product catalog. maybe a quick phone call or personal visit could confirm this.

the Littelfuse i saw have an "LF" mark on one of the end caps. i presume it stands for Littelfuse. the Bussman fuses have "Bussman" on the end caps.

those sold in Raon might probably be "generic" ones made in Taiwan or China...but who knows, you might get lucky and find original Littelfuse or Bussman fusesin Raon :)

[stealthy]

hi 2diy4. i had the chance to visit Avesco Avenida recently. they don't sell any glass fuse. i assume their Cubao branch is the same.

i hope this helps :)

[stealthy]

i was browsing the Alexan Commercial website a while ago and noticed that they are selling Bel fuses, i think another brand of reliable fuses. you might want to check them out if you are in need of branded/reliable fuses for expensive electronic equipment.

i hope this helps :)

[JayL]

Do you please post the website for Alexan. Is it a good supplier for electronic spares?

[stealthy]

Alexan's website link --> http://www.alexan.com.ph/

i think they sell above average quality parts and a maybe a good source of hard to find electronic components.

i hope this helps.