High voltage current limiting fuse having a fuse element susceptible to oxidation and especially suited for high operating temperatures

摘要

A high voltage fuse with an element operating at relatively high temperatures and having such element comprised of a metallic material which is highly susceptible to oxidation at such temperatures is disclosed. The fuse element has predetermined dimensions so as to have a predetermined time-current characteristic. The high voltage fuse has a sealed environment for housing the fuse element. The fuse element has a thickness dimension sufficiently great so that any oxide layer that may accumulate on the fuse element over a service period of 15 years does not significantly affect the predetermined time-current characteristic of the fuse element during the period.