Hi experts, Thanks to all for replying for my query. Regards, Tilak -----Original Message----- From: A, Nagaraj Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 5:23 PM To: Gaitonde, Tilak Cc: Si-List Subject: RE: [SI-LIST] Can a thin PCB trace be used as a reliable fuse Hi Tilak, Its not a bad idea to use the PCB trace to act as a fuse considering the threshold current and real estate problems for placing actual fuses. But before you could do that, the following points could be looked after about the feasibility of your project: 1. Replacement option : How could you replace the blown fuse if it is a PCB trace ? 2. Manufacturability : Does your manufacturer has capability to produce the required thin traces to meet the fusing? 3. Cost : cost of your manufacturing increases with your finer requirements (unconventional / specific requirements) 4. Control : How could you control fast or slow blow actions of fuse (copper trace) compared to available fuse (they use different materials) 5. Standard : Check whether such type of fuses have any safety standards to be adopted. 6. Intended operation : How could you ensure that the fuse will blow only for your intended overload condition and not in case of any electrostatic / electromagnetic events occurring outside your board. ex: any external EMI or END spikes could leave your finely constructed fuse damaged. 7. Handling: Any small warping of the board or handling problems such as a soldering tip over the trace fuse could put it off. These are my personal opinions on the above topic, Experts could correct me if I am wrong in any of my points regards Nagaraj. A -----Original Message----- From: Gaitonde, Tilak [mailto:ATG007@xxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, 25 August 2004 3:47 PM To: Si-List Subject: [SI-LIST] Can a thin PCB trace be used as a reliable fuse Hi Masters, This is really not an SI related query, but comes under electronics design. My query is this. Can a thin PCB trace be used as a reliable fuse. I have a real estate problem on my PCB & require 4 fuses with current threshold of 6A. I searched for the components & found they too huge to use on the PCB. So thought I can use trace as fuse!! If it is possible is there any paper that has this explained? Please help. Thanks, Tilak ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List FAQ wiki page is located at: http://si-list.org/wiki/wiki.pl?Si-List_FAQ List technical documents are available at: http://www.si-list.org List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List FAQ wiki page is located at: http://si-list.org/wiki/wiki.pl?Si-List_FAQ List technical documents are available at: http://www.si-list.org List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu