When selecting a fuse for an aircraft electrical circuit, what is the governing factor?

When selecting a fuse for an aircraft electrical circuit, the governing factor is primarily related to the power requirement of the circuit. The power requirement, which is typically expressed in watts, determines the amount of current that will flow through the circuit under normal operating conditions.

Fuses are designed to protect the circuit by breaking the circuit connection if the current exceeds a certain threshold, which is often directly linked to the power requirements of the connected components. Therefore, understanding the current draw based on the circuit's total power requirement is crucial to ensure that the fuse can adequately protect the circuit without blowing under normal operating conditions.

While other factors like voltage, type of load, and the physical size of the fuse are important considerations in the selection process, they serve more to complement the main focus on the power requirements. Voltage ensures compatibility with the electrical system, the type of load governs the characteristics of the current, and size is related to fit within the aircraft's design rather than directly correlating with protective capacity. Ultimately, the fuse must be able to handle the specific current drawn by the load under normal conditions to be effective in circuit protection.