Abstract: An improved fuse tube for a high voltage fuse contact used to interrupt low and high fault currents. The fuse tube has an arc-extinguishing bore into which a fuse link is insertable. The fuse link includes an arc-extinguishing sheath surrounding a pair of separable terminals and a fusible element normally between the terminals. An arc established and elongated between the separating terminals after the fusible element melts and decomposes the bore, the sheath, or both to rapidly evolve large amounts of arc-extinguishing gases which are exhausted from an open end of the bore. A conductive chamber in the bore is electrically connected with one of the terminals and surrounds a portion of the sheath and the terminals. A mild taper is formed in the bore so that its larger end is at the open bore end. The chamber permits the fuse link to be positioned deep within the bore so that low fuse current interruption is not compromised.

Abstract: A fuse link and a method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The fuse link comprises a fusible element extending between an upper terminal and a lower terminal. The lower terminal includes a compressed segment of a multi-strand cable to which the fusible element is attached. In practicing the method of the present invention, a segment of the multi-strand cable is first radially compressed, as by cold-forming, to produce a longitudinal receiving region or pocket indentation for receiving an end of the fusible element. Thereafter, an end of the fusible element is placed into the receiving region. The region is then further compressed and collapsed to secure the fusible element therein by crimping a compressible sleeve previously placed around the fusible element and the cable-segment.