Re: Whats in this old fuse?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: dave pierson <davep-at-quik-dot-com> 


>I know it's not quite tesla related, but i was wondering what a white 
>powder might be in an old cartridge fuse. The fuse is thick paper with the 
>metal end caps, but what is this stuff inside?

    Can't guarantee, but sand fill was not uncommon.
    Multiple purposes:
     Kept the heat in, to speed action.
      In case of Really Nasty Fault current, it kept the
      fuse link remnants from scattering hot flaming glop
     (technical term...) all over creation.
    I suppose it 'could' be something else, but fine sand
    is likely.  (which can be bad to breathe...)

    best
     dwp