Fuse (explosives)

Common card · No. 438536

In an explosive, pyrotechnic device, or military munition, a fuse (or fuze) is the part of the device that initiates function. In common usage, the word fuse is used indiscriminately. However, when being specific (and in particular in a military context), the term fuse describes a simple pyrotechnic initiating device, like the cord on a firecracker, whereas the term fuze is used when referring to a more sophisticated ignition device incorporating mechanical and/or electronic components, such as a proximity fuze for an M107 artillery shell, a magnetic or acoustic fuze on a sea mine, a spring-loaded grenade fuze, a pencil detonator, or an anti-handling device. Despite this technical distinction, both spellings are also used for either sense. In particular, fuze is treated as a variant spelling of fuse for the simple cord-type device, especially in American English.

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