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maximum operating voltage, maximum nominal current, load profile of the application, and required reaction time. Once these figures have been established, the second task for engineers is to identify the operating environment of the fuse and any dangers it may face. For example, fuses used in marine applications will be exposed to corrosive air and high humidity, while fuses used in arctic exploration vehicles will experience extreme temperature swings. Thirdly, engineers need to consider the physical construction of the fuse, determine whether the fuse will require replacement, and define reliability needs. Some fuses (such as resettable fuses) are unlikely to require access; as such, these fuses can be mounted directly onto a printed circuit board (PCB) as a surface-mount-technology device, and this PCB can then be tucked away. In high-energy applications, wire-in-air (cartridge) fuses are one of the better technologies, as they can easily be replaced (via the use of fuse holders) and prevent the reformation of connections. When selecting a fuse, the maximum occurring voltage in the system is the most important factor. Secondly, the designer must choose a fuse family which can ensure disconnection during the maximum current in case of failure. Finally, the maximum continuous operating current condition under the highest ambient temperature is taken into consideration to avoid unexpected fuse tripping." Michael Zimmermann Business Development Manager, Tech Support xEV/EMEA, Littelfuse C h a p t e r 3 | H i g h - V o l t a g e F u s e O v e r v i e w 17 7 Experts on Automotive Powertrains