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In an explosive device, a fuse is the part of the device that causes it to function.
Fuses
Fuses are the more simple of the two, the simplest being a length of combustible material which burns from the free end, through a small opening in the casing, and into the explosive charge, where it then ignites the explosive material. Fuses are still found in fireworks, model cannons, some Improvised Explosive Devices and many forms of pyrotechnics.
Fuzes
More modern forms of fuze, also often called "detonators" or initiators, include:
- time fuzes detonate after a set time (the simple fuse mentioned above falls into this category, but more modern ones use electronic, mechanical or chemical timers).
- contact detonators explode on impact
- proximity fuzes cause a missile or other munition to explode when it comes within a certain distance of the target. Some prox fuzes utilize radar, sonar, Infrared or television cameras.
- remote detonators use wires or radio waves to remotely command the explosive to function.
- altitude fuzes cause a bomb to explode at a certain altitude above sea level by means of a barometric altimeter
There are also other fuzing systems.
See also
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