AGC vs. ATC fuses in glider panels

[jfitch]

Can anybody shed some light on why manufacturers continue to use glass (AGC) fuses rather than blade type plastic (ATC) fuses in gliders? Is there a certification issue, is it simply inertia? Automotive, marine, heavy equipment, and pretty much everyone else has moved on to the ATC style. From personal experience, a high quality blade style holder is more reliable than the Bussman glass holder which seem to corrode over time. There are some intermediate amp values available in glass that are not in ATC, but this seems like a trifle.

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On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:33:52 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
> Can anybody shed some light on why manufacturers continue to use glass (AGC) fuses rather than blade type plastic (ATC) fuses in gliders? Is there a certification issue, is it simply inertia? Automotive, marine, heavy equipment, and pretty much everyone else has moved on to the ATC style. From personal experience, a high quality blade style holder is more reliable than the Bussman glass holder which seem to corrode over time. There are some intermediate amp values available in glass that are not in ATC, but this seems like a trifle.

AGC fuse holders are easier to mount on panel faces. One reason.
UH

[JS]

> On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:33:52 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
> > Can anybody shed some light on why manufacturers continue to use glass (AGC) fuses rather than blade type plastic (ATC) fuses in gliders? Is there a certification issue, is it simply inertia?

You called it: Inertia.
No need for fuses on the front of the panel.

5Z is working on a nice combo that uses blade fuses on the side of the panel.
A rectangular cut-out to access the fuses in one of these, mounted PowerPoles facing up inside the panel.
https://powerwerx.com/west-mountain-radio-rigrunner-4005h-horizontal
Back to polishing,
Jim

[krasw]

On Wednesday, 15 February 2017 21:42:07 UTC+2, wrote:
> On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:33:52 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
> > Can anybody shed some light on why manufacturers continue to use glass (AGC) fuses rather than blade type plastic (ATC) fuses in gliders? Is there a certification issue, is it simply inertia? Automotive, marine, heavy equipment, and pretty much everyone else has moved on to the ATC style. From personal experience, a high quality blade style holder is more reliable than the Bussman glass holder which seem to corrode over time. There are some intermediate amp values available in glass that are not in ATC, but this seems like a trifle.
>
> AGC fuse holders are easier to mount on panel faces. One reason.
> UH

Yes! I would change to blade fuses if panel mounted solution existed. Maybe someone has found one?

[jfitch]

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 12:02:11 PM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
> On Wednesday, 15 February 2017 21:42:07 UTC+2, wrote:
> > On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:33:52 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
> > > Can anybody shed some light on why manufacturers continue to use glass (AGC) fuses rather than blade type plastic (ATC) fuses in gliders? Is there a certification issue, is it simply inertia? Automotive, marine, heavy equipment, and pretty much everyone else has moved on to the ATC style. From personal experience, a high quality blade style holder is more reliable than the Bussman glass holder which seem to corrode over time. There are some intermediate amp values available in glass that are not in ATC, but this seems like a trifle.
> >
> > AGC fuse holders are easier to mount on panel faces. One reason.
> > UH
>
> Yes! I would change to blade fuses if panel mounted solution existed. Maybe someone has found one?

I am finding plenty of panel mount fuse holders for ATC/ATO, mostly from LittleFuse but also Eaton/Bussmann. There seem to be both blocks of various sizes as well as individual stackable versions such as:

http://www.littelfuse.com/products/fuse-blocks-fuseholders-and-fuse-accessories/automotive-and-commercial-vehicle-fuse-holders/ato_fh2.aspx

The advantage of the latter is it is very compact, and the fuse blade holder itself it crimped onto the lead, so one less Faston connector to fail (but harder to disassemble).

Here is a rear mountable 6 circuit with Faston connections, not as compact:

http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/commercial-vehicle/datasheets/automotive-fuse-holders/ato/littelfuse-fuseblock-fk-ato-6-pole.pdf

Or this Eaton version:

http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/bussmann/transportation/products/power_distribution/fuse_panels/series_15710_rearterminalatcfusepanel.html

In general, the block versions don't seem to be very compact.