Construction and performance requirements; general.

(a) MSHA shall issue approvals for fuses for use with direct current in providing short-circuit protection for trailing cables, when such fuses have met the minimum construction, performance, and testing requirements set forth in this subpart.

(b) Fuses submitted to MSHA for approval will not be accepted unless they are designed on sound engineering and scientific principles, constructed of suitable materials, and evidence good workmanship.

(c) Fuses may be single-element or dual-element in type, however, they shall be capable of interrupting any direct current within a range from the ampere rating of the fuse under consideration for approval up to 20,000 amperes.

(d) MSHA shall accept the fuse size and ampere rating as specified in the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., standard for alternating current fuses (UL-198), which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. This document is available for examination at Approval and Certification Center, RR 1, Box 251, Industrial Park Road, Triadelphia, WV 26059, and copies of the document are available from COMM 2000, 1414 Brook Drive, Downers Grove, IL 60515; Telephone: 888-853-3512 (toll free); http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com.

(e) Fuses shall be capable of completely interrupting a current within 30 milliseconds after initial current interruption, and shall not show any evidence of restriking after 30 milliseconds.

(f) The blown fuse shall show only superficial damage.

[37 FR 7562, Apr. 15, 1972, as amended at 43 FR 12316, Mar. 24, 1978; 60 FR 35692, July 11, 1995]

See MSHA's Program Policy Manual