Abstract: A mechanical fuse and fuse assembly for a power line assembly is designed to fail under a predetermined physical load so as to protect a power line supporting structures and associated equipment. The fuse is a length of frangible metal with a reduced diameter portion, coupled to a housing so as to be placed in tension when placed under a load. The housing has terminations for coupling to power line hardware. The fuse is threaded at one end and has a bolt head at the other end while the housing is provided in two separable portions, one of which is threaded to receive the threaded end of the fuse while the other portion has a through bore to receive the fuse and locate the bolt head. The housing portions are keyed to prevent relative rotation.