Red Seal Electrician Practice
Wiring and componentsQuestion 826 of 1506

Why do transistors and other semiconductor devices in high-power equipment need very fast-acting fuses?

  1. They need a delay to survive the starting surge.
  2. They run at high voltage, so a fuse is not needed.
  3. They produce a grounded fault on every start.
  4. They tolerate overcurrent very poorly.
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Correct answer: They tolerate overcurrent very poorly.

Semiconductor fuses open very quickly to protect parts that overheat in a very short time.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 12.4: Fuses

Practice wiring and components

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026