An arc-quenching composition is provided including
a filler, a fiber and a binder. Preferably, the filler includes an
arc-quenching compound such as melamine. The binder includes a thermosetting
resin to facilitate forming of the arc-quenching composition into
an arc-quenching fuse tube. In a preferred arrangement, an outer tube
is formed over the arc-quenching fuse tube to provide an overall high-strength
fuse tube. Also in a preferred arrangement, in order to provide a
fuse tube that is capable of operation over an extremely wide current
range, the inner arc-quenching tube includes a tapered bore. According
to one fabrication technique, the outer tube is formed over the arc-quenching
inner tube before the curing of the inner tube such that a single
structure results