If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Fusible plugs

Discussion in 'Locomotive Engineering M.I.C' started by mark5379, Apr 7, 2008.

  1. mark5379

    mark5379 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    School
    Location:
    Reading
    Hey,

    Does anyone know what fusible plugs are made out of?

    Cheers
    Mark
     
    mark5379, Apr 7, 2008
    #1
  2. IndustrialSteamLeeds

    IndustrialSteamLeeds Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    Messages:
    542
    Likes Received:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Kirkstall Forge
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    all the ones ive seen are brass with the led core
     
    IndustrialSteamLeeds, Apr 7, 2008
    #2
  3. industrial fetish

    industrial fetish Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2007
    Messages:
    331
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    School
    Location:
    Tanfield
    same here
     
    industrial fetish, Apr 7, 2008
    #3
  4. burnettsj

    burnettsj Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2006
    Messages:
    208
    Likes Received:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    More likely gunmetal instead of brass.

    Some plugs have a thin coat of copper to protect the lead

    Stephen
     
    burnettsj, Apr 8, 2008
    #4
  5. stallis

    stallis New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    82
    Likes Received:
    0
    stallis, Apr 8, 2008
    #5
  6. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2006
    Messages:
    1,887
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Engineer
    Location:
    Normally in a brake van somewhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    they are generally brass with a lead core.
     
    olly5764, Apr 8, 2008
    #6
  7. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    7,593
    Likes Received:
    2,394
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Engineer & Heritage Volunteer
    Location:
    N Warks
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    They're even known as "lead plugs" in some quarters.
     
    Sheff, Apr 8, 2008
    #7
  8. pjm

    pjm New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2007
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Planner, Network Rail
    Location:
    Aylesbury
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Fusible plug that I have seen are made of gunmetal and have a ball in place held by solder. This means unlike the lead ones if fails completely. with sagging of the lead.
     
    pjm, Apr 17, 2008
    #8
  9. Ian Riley

    Ian Riley Part of the furniture Loco Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2005
    Messages:
    2,422
    Likes Received:
    470
    The Fusible Plugs that we manufacture today have a cast L.G.4 body, machined to suit the required pattern, filled with 'virgin' (99.99%) lead.

    S.R types have a bronze 'bullet' within the lead 'fill', by design.

    All types are most effective in their application.
     
    Ian Riley, Apr 17, 2008
    #9

Share This Page