[SI-LIST] Re: Can a thin PCB trace be used as a reliable fuse
- From: "Andrew Ingraham" <a.ingraham@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "Si-List" <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 09:46:35 -0400
I don't know the regulatory details here ...
... but I'd be very concerned about things like fire. When a trace blows,
is there a flame? In a packaged fuse, it would be contained within the
package. Not so with an open trace.
Even if no flame, does something melt, and could it fall somewhere else?
Are toxic materials released, due to the uncontained nature of your
makeshift fuse?
I would not think that a thin board trace would make a very reliable fuse
with good repeatability, but that's not much more than a guess. External
layers have loose tolerances on trace thickness, because of the way they are
made and because it has minimal effect on Zo.
Also I'd think that the heat sinking properties of the board might make it a
rather slow acting fuse, and in the meantime a lot of the board "cooks" as
well as all nearby components (you did say you are tight on space).
Even attaching short lengths of nichrome wire might be better (if nichrome
makes a good fuse)...
Regards,
Andy
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