In a fused disconnect switch, is the neutral or ground fused?

In a fused disconnect switch, is the neutral or ground fused?

• A. Neutral
• B. Ground
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (D)

In a fused disconnect switch, fuses are placed in series with the ungrounded, or hot, conductors so that overcurrent on those live paths is interrupted. The neutral and the grounding conductor have different roles and are not part of the protective fusing. The neutral is the return path for current and is bonded to earth at the service equipment; fusing it would leave the hot line potentially still connected to the load after the fuse opens, creating shock hazards and unpredictable voltages on the load side. The grounding conductor provides a safety path to earth for fault currents and is not intended to carry normal current; fusing it would defeat its safety purpose and could impede fault clearing. So, in the usual setup, neither the neutral nor the ground is fused. Only the ungrounded conductors are protected by fuses.

In a fused disconnect switch, fuses are placed in series with the ungrounded, or hot, conductors so that overcurrent on those live paths is interrupted. The neutral and the grounding conductor have different roles and are not part of the protective fusing.

The neutral is the return path for current and is bonded to earth at the service equipment; fusing it would leave the hot line potentially still connected to the load after the fuse opens, creating shock hazards and unpredictable voltages on the load side. The grounding conductor provides a safety path to earth for fault currents and is not intended to carry normal current; fusing it would defeat its safety purpose and could impede fault clearing.

So, in the usual setup, neither the neutral nor the ground is fused. Only the ungrounded conductors are protected by fuses.