When the wire or foil strip inside a fuse melts, the fuse is said to be ________.

When the wire or foil strip inside a fuse melts, it interrupts the flow of electricity in a circuit, leading to what is known as a "blown" fuse. This term indicates that the fuse has performed its critical safety function by opening the circuit to prevent excess current from continuing to flow, which could cause overheating and potentially lead to a fire or damage to electrical components.

This safety mechanism is essential for protecting not just the wiring and devices connected to the circuit, but also the user. The melting of the wire or strip signifies that it has reached its rated temperature, typically due to an overload or short circuit, thereby disconnecting the electricity flow. While terms like "connected," "operational," and "active" might describe the state of a fuse before it operates, they do not accurately convey the condition following the melting event that defines a blown fuse. Thus, "blown" is the precise term used to describe this critical failure mode.