General Purpose Fuses

General purpose fuses are cartridge fuse links designed to protect cables and general electrical loads against overload and short circuit in switchgear, fuse carriers and fused isolators. Common formats in industrial and commercial installations include 10x38mm and 14x51mm cylindrical fuses, chosen by size, current rating and characteristic.

Account holders receive trade prices, and stocked fuses ordered by 5pm Monday to Friday are dispatched for next working day delivery in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Call us if you cannot find the exact fuse you need.

We can't find products matching the selection.

How to choose a general purpose fuse

General purpose cartridge fuses are found in fused isolators, fuse carriers, control panels and distribution equipment. Choosing the correct link protects the circuit and keeps the switchgear within its rating.

Key details to check

Physical size - the dimensions in millimetres, such as 10x38 or 14x51, must match the fuse holder exactly.
Current rating - selected to protect the circuit cable and suit the load; never exceed the holder's maximum rating.
Characteristic - general purpose (often marked gG) fuses protect cables and general loads, while motor and semiconductor fuses have different curves.
Voltage and breaking capacity - confirm both are suitable for the supply and the prospective fault current.

Where they are used

You will find general purpose fuses in switch fuses, fused isolators for machinery, lighting and power distribution panels, and control circuits. Matching fuse links to the switchgear manufacturer's recommendations helps ensure discrimination with other protective devices on the installation.

Replacing a fuse safely

Isolate the supply and confirm it is dead before opening a fuse carrier. Replace the link with one of the same size, rating and type, and find the cause before re-energising if it has blown. Work to current wiring regulations and the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Boxed TP&N isolators and switch fuses are available if the holder itself needs upgrading, and our full fuses range includes plug top, cut-out and Neozed fuses.

Help from Meteor

Meteor Electrical holds 5,000+ products in stock across 100+ trade brands. If you need a specific fuse link, call 028 8675 1515 (048 8675 1515 from ROI) between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Delivery is free over £30 / €35 ex VAT.

FAQ's Ask Your Own Question

How does a fuse work?: Fuses have a resistor, which is a thin metal strip or wire that serves as a connection in an electrical circuit. Resistors can be made from a variety of metals including copper wire. The heat generated by the excess current will cause this resistor to melt, breaking the circuit and stopping the flow of potentially dangerous voltage.
What happens when a fuse blows?: When a fuse trips, the power to a specific circuit is turned off immediately. This reduces the risk of fire and protects the wiring. Without fear of electrocution, the blown fuse can be securely replaced.
How do you change a fuse?: Changing a fuse is simple.

Step 1: The first step is to loosen the screw of the electrical appliance and inspect the issue. Make sure the fault isn’t triggered by a cartridge fuse blowing in various plugs or wall sockets. These fuses would need to be replaced too. Make sure the master plug is switched off.

Step 2: Pull the fuse out and replace the fuse with a new fuse. (Make sure you are replacing the fuse with the same AMP rating). Replacing a fuse with a higher AMP can cause potential hazards such as a fire.

Step 3: Put the case back onto the electrical appliance and tightly screw it into place.

Step 5: Turn the master plug back on and it should be working normally. If the electrical appliance trips again, there is an electrical fault in the appliances which is recommended to report to an electrician to inspect the issue.
What does gG mean on a fuse?: gG identifies a general purpose fuse link with full-range breaking capacity, designed to protect cables and general loads against both overload and short circuit. Other classes, such as aM for motor back-up protection, behave differently. Always replace a fuse with the same class shown on the original or specified by the equipment manufacturer.
What do 10x38 and 14x51 mean on a cartridge fuse?: These figures are the fuse body dimensions in millimetres: diameter by length. A 10x38 fuse is 10mm wide and 38mm long, and a 14x51 fuse is 14mm by 51mm. The size must match the fuse carrier, but you still need to check current rating, voltage and characteristic separately.
How do I choose the current rating for a cartridge fuse?: The current rating should be at least the normal operating current of the load and no greater than the current-carrying capacity of the cable it protects. It must also stay within the fuse holder's maximum rating. For new circuits, the rating should come from the circuit design carried out to current wiring regulations.