Antifuse
Sign in to saveAn antifuse is an electrical device that performs the opposite function to a fuse. Whereas a fuse starts with a low resistance and is designed to permanently break or open an electrically conductive path (typically when the current through the path exceeds a specified limit), an antifuse starts with a high resistance—an open circuit—and programming it converts it into a permanent electrically conductive path (typically when the voltage across the antifuse exceeds a certain level). This technology has many applications. Antifuses are best known for their use in mini-light (or miniature) style l
~8 min read
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Christmas tree lights
- Antifuses in integrated circuits
- Dielectric antifuses
- Amorphous silicon antifuses
- Zener antifuses
- Street-lighting (obsolete)
- See also
- References
- External links
An antifuse is an electrical device that performs the opposite function to a fuse. Whereas a fuse starts with a low resistance and is designed to permanently break or open an electrically conductive path (typically when the current through the path exceeds a specified limit), an antifuse starts with a high resistance—an open circuit—and programming it converts it into a permanent electrically conductive path (typically when the voltage across the antifuse exceeds a certain level). This technology has many applications. Antifuses are best known for their use in mini-light (or miniature) style low-voltage Christmas tree lights.
==Christmas tree lights== Low-voltage lights cannot handle the full voltage typical to a residential circuit and are wired in series, unlike the larger, traditional, C7 and C9 style lights which are wired in parallel and are rated to operate directly at mains/residential voltage. Since a blown bulb in a series circuit opens the entire circuit, a series string is rendered inoperable by a single lamp failure.