A fuse is an overcurrent protective device containing a calibrated current-carrying member that melts and opens a circuit under specified overcurrent conditions.
The NEMA Fuse Section develops technical standards and serves as the industry voice for positively impacting product safety and performance requirements, and relevant government relations and trade activities.
The scope of the NEMA Fuse Section includes the following:
1. Non-renewable plug fuses.
2. Non-renewable cartridge fuses, not exceeding 1000 volts AC 1200 volts DC or less.
3. Renewable cartridge fuses and renewal links or elements, 600 volts or less.
4. Fuse holders and fuse blocks.
5. Excluded are all other types, such as miscellaneous and special purpose fuses.
A major driver of the NEMA Fuse Section is its ongoing standards and technical work. This is because standards play a vital part in the design, production, and distribution of products both domestically and internationally.
Sound technical standards for fuses benefit the end user, as well as the manufacturer, by improving safety, bringing about economies in product, eliminating misunderstandings between the manufacturer and purchaser, and assisting the purchaser in selecting and obtaining the proper product for their particular need.
Technical Committee agenda
The following lists key activities in the 2011 work program for the Fuse Section Technical Committee:
1. Maintaining NEMA FU 1
2. Establishing industry positions on relevant UL standards
3. Conveying industry positions through the 2014 National Electrical Code development cycle
4. Drafting of amendments to the trinational standard for low voltage fuses, through CANENA.
5. Assisting NECA in approving NECA/NEIS fuse application and installation guidelines as an American National Standard.
6. Establishing positions on IEC standards through the United States National Committee to the IEC.
Relevant Standards and Publications
NEMA standards and publications relevant to the fuse industry include:
NEMA FU 1-2012, Low Voltage Cartridge Fuses
NEMA Guidelines for Water Damaged Electrical Equipment
UL standards relevant to the fuse industry include:
UL 248/CSA C22.2 No. 248/NMX-J-248-ANCE series of standards for low-voltage fuses
(a trinational standard for North America)
UL 4248/CSA C22.2 No. 4248/NMX-J-4248 series of standards for fuseholders
(a trinational standard for North America)
Go here for UL Guide Card information on low voltage fuses made to UL 248.
Through NEMA, the section develops industry positions on legislative and regulatory initiatives that may affect member products, markets, and customers. NEMA's work has resulted in contributions to public policy development and in promoting competitiveness, technological progress, and public safety. On the Government Affairs homepage members can search for and e-mail federal representatives to convey opinions regarding energy policy or other issues related to the electroindustry.
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The association also conducts economic analyses on the impact of legislation and regulations on member products, and monitors and reports on key industry market indicators. All programs comply with NEMA statistical confidentiality policies. For more information, please see Business & Economy.
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