THE IET publication Guidance Note 1 - Selection and Erection, due for imminent publication, contains further information on this subject.
Terminology
Those fuses referred to as "rewirable fuses" are correctly termed semienclosed fuses as they are partially enclosed within the use-carrier.
Semi-enclosed fuses are manufactured to BS 3036, the latest version is:
BS 3036:1958
Incorporating Amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Confirmed December 2007) Specification Semi-enclosed Electric fuses - Ratings up to 100 amperes and 240 volts to earth
The definition of a semi-enclosed fuse,given here, is extracted from BS 3036:
Semi-enclosed fuse - a fuse in which the fuse element is neither in free air (other than the air in any external containing case not forming part of the fuse) nor totally enclosed
Originally issued on 23 October 1958,BS 3036:1958 has just celebrated 50 years in existence. The standard has been amended on a number of occasions, namely, December 1959,March 1963, February 1964, February 1978, January 1991 and recently confirmed in December 2007. It is unusual for a standard to survive for such a long time but this obviously reflects how simple and efficient such devices are.
Applications of semi-enclosed fuses
Semi-enclosed fuses have been used extensively on industrial, commercial and domestic installations over the years. They have given satisfactory service on systems not exceeding 240 volts to earth but installed only at points where the breaking-capacity severity is limited. Such fuses are usually installed either with switches in composite units or with distribution boards/consumer units, used on single- or multi-phase circuits, the fuses being enclosed within a single case.
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