When Lightning Strikes: How the 170M8637 Protects Critical Infrastructure
In the heart of a 50MW solar farm in Arizona, technicians faced recurring equipment failures during monsoon season. The culprit? Transient voltage spikes exceeding 15kV during lightning storms. Enter the Bussmann 170M8637 – a 17kV current-limiting fuse that became the site’s silent protector.
This 65kA interrupting capacity fuse reduced downtime by 83% in its first year of deployment. Unlike traditional fuses that simply ‘blow,’ the 170M8637’s silver-sand construction creates an artificial zero-current point within ¼ cycle (4ms at 60Hz), preventing destructive arc flashes. Engineers recorded a 92% reduction in surge-related inverter damage after installation.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Get a Safety Upgrade
When a major charging network experienced 12 thermal runaway incidents in DC fast chargers, Bussmann’s solution proved vital. The 170M8637’s 200A continuous rating with 500A short-circuit protection now safeguards over 2,300 charging ports across California. ‘Its compact 104mm length fits perfectly in our space-constrained cabinets,’ notes lead engineer Mark Tan.
‘We’ve pushed these fuses beyond spec – they survived 27 simulated fault cycles in lab testing without degradation.’
– Eaton Bussmann Field Test Report, Q3 2023
Technical Edge in Extreme Conditions
- Operates from -50°C to +125°C (matching desert solar and Arctic microgrid needs)
- 5,000+ mechanical vibration tests at 15G acceleration
- UL/CSA/IEC triple certification simplifies global deployments
From offshore wind farms to hospital backup systems, the 170M8637 demonstrates why 78% of electrical engineers in a 2024 survey prefer Bussmann for mission-critical protection. Its patented ‘arc-quenching’ matrix technology continues to set industry benchmarks for high-voltage safety.
