What is the maximum Zs for a 20A BS 88 Fuse?

The maximum earth fault loop impedance (Zs) for a 20A BS 88 Fuse is 1.84Ω for 0.4s disconnection time, as listed in BS 7671 Table 41.4 of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. For on-site testing, the measured value must not exceed 1.47Ω (80% of the tabulated value) to account for conductor temperature rise.

What is the testing limit for a 20A BS 88 Fuse?

The testing limit is 1.47Ω. This is 80% of the tabulated maximum Zs (1.84 × 0.8 = 1.47Ω). When you measure Zs on site at ambient temperature, your reading must be at or below this value. If it falls between 1.47Ω and 1.84Ω, you can perform a more precise temperature correction calculation per IET Guidance Note 3.

Can I still use BS 88 Fuse fuses in new installations?

BS 88 fuses remain appropriate for new installations, particularly in distribution boards and industrial settings. They offer very high breaking capacity and are well-suited to protecting sub-mains and main incomers.

Max Zs for 20A BS 88 Fuse

BS 7671 Table 41.4 — BS 7671:2018+A2:2022

Max Zs (0.4s)

1.84Ω

Testing Limit

1.47Ω

Max Zs (5s)

3.7Ω

Ia (0.4s)

119A

At a Glance

Device: BS 88 Fuse — 20A
Standard: BS 88
Max Zs (0.4s): 1.84Ω
Max Zs (5s): 3.7Ω
Testing Limit (80%): 1.47Ω
Ia (0.4s): 119A

About BS 88 Fuse

BS 88 fuses (also called HRC or HBC fuses) are high breaking capacity industrial fuses. They protect distribution board sub-circuits and main incomers. Their time/current characteristics differ from MCBs — disconnection time depends on the precise fault current level, not a fixed multiplier.

Typical Circuits for 20A BS 88 Fuse

Recommended cable sizes for 20A BS 88 Fuse circuits
Circuit	Cable Size	Notes
Lighting distribution	2.5–4.0mm²	Commercial lighting sub-circuit

Worked Example: Maximum Cable Run for 20A BS 88 Fuse

Maximum Zs (tabulated) = 1.84Ω (BS 7671 Table 41.4)
Testing limit (80%) = 1.84 × 0.8 = 1.47Ω
Assume Ze = 0.35Ω (typical TN-C-S (PME) supply)
Maximum R1+R2 = 1.47 − 0.35 = 1.12Ω
Using 2.5mm² T&E: R1+R2 = 14.82 mΩ/m
Maximum cable run = 1.12 ÷ 0.01482 = 75.6m

On a TN-C-S (PME) supply with 2.5mm² cable, the maximum one-way cable run is approximately 75.6m before Zs exceeds the testing limit. In practice, always measure — parallel earth paths and cable route conditions will affect the actual value.

0.4s vs 5s Disconnection Times

Fuse characteristics differ from MCBs — disconnection time depends on the time/current curve. At 20A: max Zs = 1.84Ω (0.4s) vs 3.7Ω (5s). The 5s value is higher because a lower fault current will still melt the fuse element given more time. Use the 0.4s value for final circuits and 5s for distribution circuits only.

Disconnection Time	Max Zs	Testing Limit (80%)
0.4 seconds	1.84Ω	1.47Ω
5 seconds	3.7Ω	2.96Ω

20A Across Device Types

Device Type	Max Zs (0.4s)	Testing Limit
MCB Type B	2.19Ω	1.75Ω
MCB Type C	1.09Ω	0.87Ω
MCB Type D	0.55Ω	0.44Ω
BS 88 Fuse	1.84Ω	1.47Ω
BS 1361 Fuse	2.42Ω	1.94Ω
BS 3036 Semi-enclosed Fuse	2.14Ω	1.71Ω