Fuses and circuit breakers are both designed to interrupt the flow of electricity. While fuses only provide protection from overloading, circuit breakers safeguard the system from overloading and short circuits. To stop the flow of electricity, fuses have to “blow” or melt, and circuit breakers have to trip.

The main difference between a blown fuse and a tripped circuit breaker is how they perform the function. When the fuse melts due to excess electrical current, the melting disconnects the sudden high electrical current flowing to the circuit. The fuse must be replaced with a new one to restore power. On the other hand, circuit breakers use a switch mechanism that only needs to be reset after it trips.