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Fuses fuses fuses

Ok, this is about fuses

1- a standard Bussman fuse is UL approved. Are any "high end" fuses UL approved?

2- do any component manufacturers supply their gear with any of the usual suspects of high end fuses as opposed to a standard Bussman?

3- let's say fuses do make a difference. Given incoming power is AC, why could fuses be directional? 

Not meaning to light any fires here- 

thanks in advance 
zavato

Showing 6 responses by bdp24

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bdp24
10,248 posts
 
Actually, I have both. But I certainly wouldn't put a HFTF in my tube power amps!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 
The designer, and the U. S. distributor of, the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse have confirmed one "fact"---that neither knows what "high breaking capacity" in terms of fuses means. That is a rather basic fuse design element, so what else don't they know about fuses? The Little Fuse engineers know what it means, and include that consideration in the design of their products. It's not a proprietary secret, it's a well-understood element in electrical engineering. Well-understood, that is, by experts in the field, of which the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse people are obviously not. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 
Yeah, Roger Modjeski (and Ralph Karsten) are deaf. Amazing how they can, in spite of that, design and build such good sounding electronics (and in the case of Modjeski, ESL loudspeakers). Beethoven incarnate! And you, Geoff, you have designed and built what amplification circuits? Such hubris!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 

Modjeski tested the resistance of the Hi-Fi tuning fuses in both directions, and found a difference of 0.038 milliohms. I don't know about 5%, but 0.038 milliohms is an EXTREMELY small difference. I have no doubt that fuse directionality proponents will say the difference in sound is due to other factors. Like what? Oh yeah, wire directionality ;-).

Roger called and talked to both the Hi-Fi Tuning fuse U.S. distributor, and the fuses German designer. Neither knew what the term "high breaking capacity" means. Roger strongly advises against putting a Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse in a DC circuit (tubes run on DC), as a fuse lacking hbc will not protect an amp---by blowing, when a tube goes bad---as they all eventually do. Even a new tube with a short will blow a fuse capable of performing that function, which the HFTF in a DC circuit is not.

Roger Modjeski characterized  the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse as "junk". But then he's delusional ;-).

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 

Great movie. I think Fonda bought the rights to the screenplay, putting a lot of work into getting the movie made. He was a lifelong bleeding-heart liberal, as people like my Pa saw him. He was also in The Grapes Of Wrath, another movie sticking up for the underclass.

The directionality of wire, and of fuses, are not equivalent. I thought everyone knew that ;-).

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 

I’m bound to regret this, but just can’t resist. So, on one side we have Ralph Karsten and Roger Modjeski (as well as almarg and other posters here)---two of the best living audio engineers in the world (I obviously place value in "authority"), and on the other side those who claim fuses are directional. And the explanation for Ralph and Roger (and perhaps Al, etc.) disputing the even possibility of fuses being directional (AC being what it is) is that they are "deluded amp manufacturer(s)"? Ay carumba! Very fitting in these Trumpian days.

I guess the designs of those two engineers sounding as good as they do it just plain ol' fortuitous luck. not because they know and understand what factors in electronic design lead to good sound. Thankfully we have some non-deluded audiophiles, not blinded to empirical findings by their knowledge and "beliefs", to keep hi-fi progress moving in the right direction.

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