Patent ID: 6157287
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A fuse system comprising:a fuse holder having an outer surface and having a size corresponding to an ampere rating of the fuse holder;a pair of fuse clips mounted inside the fuse holder, said pair of fuse clips being recessed from the outer surface of the fuse holder a predetermined distance;an insulative fuse housing;a fuse element mounted within the insulative fuse housing, the size of the fuse housing corresponding to an ampere rating of the fuse element;the fuse holder including a plurality of concentric rims for enabling the fuse holder to be engaged with a fuse housing of a lower ampere rating;blade terminals electrically connected to the fuse element and extending from the fuse housing; andan insulative sleeve on each of the blade terminals, the insulative sleeves extending from the fuse housing and covering a portion of each of the respective blade terminals and leaving a remaining portion of the blade terminals exposed;wherein the exposed portions of the blade terminals are less than the predetermined distance so that when the blade terminals make an electrical contact with the fuse clips, the exposed portions of the blade terminals are within the fuse holder and only the insulative sleeves are exposed.