What occurs to a Dual Element Fuse under a short circuit condition?

Under a short circuit condition, a Dual Element Fuse is designed to protect an electrical circuit by interrupting the flow of excessive current. When a short circuit occurs, the current surges far beyond the normal operating levels. The fuse contains two elements: typically a time-delay element which can withstand temporary overloads, and a dual element that acts quickly under fault conditions, such as a short circuit.

In this scenario, the excessive current causes the fuse link – typically made of a specific metal with a low melting point – to heat up rapidly. As the current flows through the fuse, the heat generated from the high current causes the fuse link to melt. This melting only occurs when the current exceeds the fuse’s rated limit, ensuring that the circuit is disconnected, thus preventing damage to connected devices or creating fire hazards.

Melting of the fuse link is a critical safety measure, as it effectively interrupts the electrical flow, enabling the system to avoid the adverse effects that would result from a short circuit. Thus, the option indicating that the fuse link will melt accurately describes the protective function of a Dual Element Fuse under a short circuit condition.