Which fuse type is specifically designed to handle high inrush currents?

The type of fuse specifically designed to handle high inrush currents is the time delay fuse. Time delay fuses are engineered to tolerate brief surges of current that occur when electrical devices start up, such as motors or transformers. This is important because many electrical devices draw a significantly higher amount of current at startup compared to their normal operating level. By allowing this initial surge of current to flow without blowing, time delay fuses prevent unnecessary interruptions and the need for frequent replacements.

In contrast, fast-acting fuses are designed to respond quickly to overcurrent conditions, and while they protect circuits effectively under normal load conditions, they might not withstand the brief surges that occur at startup. Current limiting fuses serve a different purpose, as they are designed to limit the amount of fault current that can flow once a fault condition occurs, but they do not focus specifically on handling inrush currents. Single element fuses, too, do not have the designed delay mechanism to accommodate inrush currents. Thus, time delay fuses are uniquely suited for applications where high inrush current is common, making them the appropriate choice in this scenario.