Fuses are designed to overheat and burn out extremely rapidly in case of a shortcut within electric equipment; they thus interrupt the flow of power, preventing damage to the equipment. They are needed for various power electric systems, for stationary and automotive applications, as well as power grid components like PV systems and distribution lines. Different types of equipment and voltages require special fuses, and their behaviour must be understood to guarantee correct choice and safe operation.
For the 3rd edition in 2004, Wright's and Newbery's classic had been revised to include e.g. pre-arcing and arcing behaviour, retrofitting of fuses, chip and automotive fuses, and IGBT protection. Edition 4 updates include standards and new applications such as PV systems, battery storage and EV. Data and standards descriptions and many of the illustrations have been revised and updated. The established structure of the book as comprehensive reference has been maintained.
Nigel P.M. Nurse was a senior engineer at Eaton Electrical Products Ltd, UK. He has been involved in the fuse link industry since 1976. Nigel worked closely with Gordon Newbery for much of his career, and his thesis was supervised by the late Prof. A. Wright. Nigel has been directly involved with the design, manufacture and applications of fuse links for over 40 years and is a co-author or author of a number of papers.
Arthur Wright was a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Nottingham. His specific expertise was in the fields of protective relaying and fuses.
P. Gordon Newbery was involved with the fuse industry for over 40 years. He was technical director for Brush/Hawker Fusegear and subsequently for the Bussmann Division of Cooper Industries in Europe and was involved with fuse standards in British and international committees.