If one side of a fuse clip is harder than the other, what does this indicate?

A fuse clip that shows signs of wear, such as one side being harder than the other, typically indicates a problem with the contact on the hot fuse clip. This often happens because of poor or degraded contact, which can lead to arcing or heating issues. When there is not a solid connection, it can result in increased resistance at that point, causing the metal to deform or harden over time due to the heat generated from the electrical current passing through. This situation ultimately can lead to fuse failure or a potential safety hazard.

Understanding why the other options do not fit is also helpful. High voltage at the clip would not directly result in one side being harder than the other; rather, it would pertain to the overall electrical safety and design. Excessive power supply does not typically affect contact points in this manner but could cause a fuse to blow under excessive current conditions. Finally, proper functioning of the fuse would imply that there are no signs of wear or damage, which contradicts the observation of a harder side of the clip.