Current limiting fuse and dropout fuseholder

A current limiting dropout fuseholder for installation within a cutout mounting having upper and lower terminal assemblies, said fuseholder comprising:

• a fuse body;
• a top cap assembly on said fuse body for engaging the upper terminal assembly of the cutout mounting;
• a lower cap and hinge assembly on said fuse body for engaging the lower terminal assembly of the cutout mounting, the hinge assembly comprising:
• a) a hinge member adapted for rotatable mounting on the cutout mounting;
• b) a connective member supporting said fuse body, said fuse and said top and lower cap assemblies, said connective member being supported by said hinge member;
• a first current path between said top cap assembly and said lower cap and hinge assembly, said first current path including a high current fusible element comprising a first conductor having a plurality of spaced apart reduced area portions of reduced cross sectional area
• a releasable latch means, including a latch member rotatably mounted on said hinge member and a latch plate anchored to said connective member, for retaining said top cap assembly of said fuseholder in engagement with said upper terminal assembly of the cutout mounting and releasing said top cap assembly of said fuseholder from said engagement when a current of predetermined magnitude is conducted through the first current path;
• a spring disposed between the latch member and hinge member for biasing said fuse body away from engagement of said top cap assembly with said upper terminal assembly;
• and
• a second conductor in series with said first conductor, said second conductor having a cross sectional area substantially equal to said reduced cross sectional area of said reduced area portions in said first conductor.