What is an important characteristic of time delay fuses?

Time delay fuses are specifically designed to tolerate temporary surge currents, which occur in various electrical equipment during start-up or when heavy loads are applied suddenly. This characteristic allows the fuse to handle brief overloads without blowing, thereby providing protection while accommodating normal operational conditions.

This property is particularly significant in applications where motors and other inductive devices are used, as these can draw significantly more current upon startup compared to their steady-state operation. By allowing these temporary surges, time delay fuses minimize unnecessary interruptions in service and enhance the reliability of equipment.

In contrast, other fuse types that react quickly to overloads would not permit these surges and might unnecessarily interrupt power during regular operational peaks. Similarly, characteristics like blowing easily during normal operation would be counterproductive to the purpose of a fuse, and not specific to high voltage applications alone. High voltage application designations pertain to the fuse's voltage rating rather than its characteristic behavior under surge conditions.