PAST
Pyrotechnic
Fuse Solid Pack
Match
Bridgewire
Slapper
MODERN
TIME TIME
Pyrotechnic Fuse
This fuse is most common among fireworks. While technology allows us to set off firework displays electronically for timing and reduce the amount of 'duds', most consumer fireworks use a pyrotechnic fuse as its ignition source. It consists of a wicker fuse, which acts as a timer delay, that goes into an ignition that sets off the main blast. The only problem
was having to crimp the metal cap casing to hold the wicker fuse in place. While crimping the casing, it was possible to set off the whole charge, which became a safety issue within mining.
Solid Pack Fuse
This fuse was the first known bridgewire design that Robert Hare created in 1822. Much like Benjamin Franklin's idea of having two wires, although, the current does not have to arc from wire to the other. Instead, a smaller and much thinner wire, known as a 'bridgewire', connects the two larger wires. The bridgewire is located in the ignition, which sets off the main charge. However, any sort of 'stray' current could pass through and set off the charge.
Match Fuse
This fuse was an improvement upon the Solid Pack Fuse by replacing the small bridgewire with an electric match. The electric match consisted of a metal film that was resistant to small electrical currents. The film was placed inside a pyrotechnic ignition that would cause the secondary ignition to set off the main charge. This reduced the possibility of radio waves and other small charges from setting off an unwanted blast. It did not, however, protect the main charge from lightning strikes and big electrical shocks.
Exploding Bridgewire Fuse
This fuse was much more simple and effective against large amounts of current passing through the ignition. Instead of a match fuse, a thick bridgewire connected the two main wires that are set up beside the ignition. Prior to this design, all ignitions consisted of a very flammable mixture. The new ignition reacts upon inflicted pressure, much like the ignitions did on pyrotechnic fuses when being crimped improperly. This thicker bridgewire acted like a fuse, needing a large current to pass through it. As the current passes through the wire, the bridgewire heats up and vaporizes. The vaporization of the bridgewire is like a tiny explosion inside the cap which causes the ignition to discharge and set off the main blast.
Slapper Fuse
This fuse is found in modern military weapons such as missles and bombs. This design is a fine-tooning of the Exploding Bridgewire. Using the very same idea of the previous fuse, the pressure given off by the vaporizing bridgewire shoots a tiny pellet through a tube within the blasting cap. The pellet is shot into the ignition which causes the main charge to go off. Having this kind of blasting cap made it possible for the manufacturures to produce both the ignitions and the bridgewires, but separately. Therefore, it was possible to distribute blasting caps without having to worry about charges going off during transportation and handling.
TIME TIME
Pyrotechnic Fuse
This fuse is most common among fireworks. While technology allows us to set off firework displays electronically for timing and reduce the amount of 'duds', most consumer fireworks use a pyrotechnic fuse as its ignition source. It consists of a wicker fuse, which acts as a timer delay, that goes into an ignition that sets off the main blast. The only problem
was having to crimp the metal cap casing to hold the wicker fuse in place. While crimping the casing, it was possible to set off the whole charge, which became a safety issue within mining.
Solid Pack Fuse
This fuse was the first known bridgewire design that Robert Hare created in 1822. Much like Benjamin Franklin's idea of having two wires, although, the current does not have to arc from wire to the other. Instead, a smaller and much thinner wire, known as a 'bridgewire', connects the two larger wires. The bridgewire is located in the ignition, which sets off the main charge. However, any sort of 'stray' current could pass through and set off the charge.
Match Fuse
This fuse was an improvement upon the Solid Pack Fuse by replacing the small bridgewire with an electric match. The electric match consisted of a metal film that was resistant to small electrical currents. The film was placed inside a pyrotechnic ignition that would cause the secondary ignition to set off the main charge. This reduced the possibility of radio waves and other small charges from setting off an unwanted blast. It did not, however, protect the main charge from lightning strikes and big electrical shocks.
Exploding Bridgewire Fuse
This fuse was much more simple and effective against large amounts of current passing through the ignition. Instead of a match fuse, a thick bridgewire connected the two main wires that are set up beside the ignition. Prior to this design, all ignitions consisted of a very flammable mixture. The new ignition reacts upon inflicted pressure, much like the ignitions did on pyrotechnic fuses when being crimped improperly. This thicker bridgewire acted like a fuse, needing a large current to pass through it. As the current passes through the wire, the bridgewire heats up and vaporizes. The vaporization of the bridgewire is like a tiny explosion inside the cap which causes the ignition to discharge and set off the main blast.
Slapper Fuse
This fuse is found in modern military weapons such as missles and bombs. This design is a fine-tooning of the Exploding Bridgewire. Using the very same idea of the previous fuse, the pressure given off by the vaporizing bridgewire shoots a tiny pellet through a tube within the blasting cap. The pellet is shot into the ignition which causes the main charge to go off. Having this kind of blasting cap made it possible for the manufacturures to produce both the ignitions and the bridgewires, but separately. Therefore, it was possible to distribute blasting caps without having to worry about charges going off during transportation and handling.