Small but Mighty: The FCD Fuse for Delicate Electronics
In electronics, size isn’t everything, precision and reliability matter more. The FCD fuse from OptiFuse packs both into a tiny 5 × 20 mm ceramic cartridge, delivering fast-acting overcurrent protection where it’s needed most.
Whether it’s shielding the control board in your home appliance, safeguarding test instrumentation, or protecting a power supply, the FCD (and axial-lead FCD-P variant) reacts in milliseconds to overloads. The ceramic body provides excellent thermal resistance, making it ideal for higher-temperature environments.
Highlights:
- Voltage rating: 250VAC (many models also rated 250VDC)
- Current range: 200mA to 20A
- High interrupt rating: Up to 1500A AC, 10kA at 125VAC for certain models
- Fully compliant: IEC 60127, UL recognized (except 20A), RoHS/REACH certified
Common uses:
- Home appliances and consumer electronics – guarding sensitive control circuits
- Industrial electronics – protecting control modules, meters, and precision gear
- General equipment – anywhere compact, reliable fusing is needed
When your electronics deserve nothing but precise, dependable protection, the FCD fuse stands ready: small in size, huge in performance. To learn how to select the right tube fuse, read our How to Choose a Tube Fuse article or see our Fuse Selection Guide for complete context.
Mounting FCD
Picking the right holder is as important as picking the right fuse. The FCD (5x20mm) drops into several OptiFuse families depending on how you want service access, wiring, and approvals handled.
Board-level (compact, serviceable on PCB)
- BLC-13 low-profile PCB block (5x20mm) contains spring clips, tin-plated pins for easy soldering; great when you want quick field replacement without removing the board.
- PHC-01 horizontal PCB holder (1/4 turn-cap) – there’s a bayonet service cap right on the board, keeping the fuse captive and accessible.
- PVC-02 vertical PCB holder (1/4-turn cap) – same idea, upright to save board area and improve visibility.
Sebastian Castañeda, Application Engineer at OptiFuse, supports customers with technical solutions, custom circuit protection design, and training. He provides tailored guidance and shares expert insights on the OptiFuse Blog.