What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

[G-Laser]

Ok, so not exactly an "electronics" question but I think it still applies as a general question.

I have a GE Constant On Xmas tree and it appears as though they use a non-removable fuse bulb which is blown, which causes the entire row to fail. The plug itself has two fuse already.
Does anyone have any idea why a fuse bulb is required when the plug already is fused? It just seems like it doesn't serve any purpose and just adds on more failure point.

Thanks,
G-Laser

[budm]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

Can we see this FUSE BULB, and the fuses on the plug?

[G-Laser]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

Thanks for you quick response.
I sure can. The white ring signifies the fuse bulb.

[stj]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

fuse bulb is a fuse because if your other lamps are the type that short when they fail to keep the rest running then the more that fail, the more the rest get overdriven.

that bulb will pull out btw.

[G-Laser]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

I can give it a try again but according to the instruction, this is not a removeable lamp and if I attempt it I will void the warranty...even though the warranty doesn't matter. I also did a slight attempt to pull it out w/o success.

[mastertech11]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

Unplug it, cut the wires at the bottom of it, strip the wires and connect them, tape it up and enjoy.

[mastertech11]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

Or splice in a fuse holder if that makes you happy, LOL.

[stj]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

look at your own foto, you can put the end of a blade between the white inner lamp-base and the green holder and lever it up.

[G-Laser]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

look at your own foto, you can put the end of a blade between the white inner lamp-base and the green holder and lever it up.

Ah, I didn't think about that. It deffinally doesn't come out with a good tug. Cut and splice was my next option but we were going to wait until the entire warranty is up (3 years on the lights, 5 years on the tree). I assume it's there for a reason so I don't want to jumper the wires.
One would expect better design for General Electric unless this is the "general" part of their electrical.
Although I know I wouldn't get an acceptable answer, when I asked the support person why they might have supplied two removable fuses in the plug but made an non-removeable light bulb one in the rest of the circuit, she said, "Well, it's UL certified". I'm going to assume UL just wants the fuses in there and probably said nothing about it being non-removeable. Uhhg.

[stj]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

GE - "making good things come to life"
like Fukushima reactors 1 through 3 !!!

[popeye]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

Better for safty sake you don't want fire people out when it goes up in smoke

[budm]

Re: What is the purpose of a fuse bulb

wrong post.