§1What this business is
An HRC fuse link protects a circuit against overload and short circuit. The fuse element is designed for the customer's current rating; the ceramic barrel, base plate, electroplated copper blades and end covers, silica filler, blown-fuse indicator and brass hardware are bought in. The parts are assembled into the barrel, checked at each stage and tested on a bench to IS 13703:1993. Buyers are factories, panel makers, electrical contractors and shops selling replacements.
Capacity: 3,00,000 HRC fuse links (16 A) a year, worth ₹60 L at ₹20 each.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
An electrical technician or switchgear trader with links to panel makers and contractors.
Who it is not for
Someone without electrical testing knowledge.
Advantages
- Simple assembly that unskilled workers learn quickly
- Fuses blow and need replacing, so demand repeats
- Cheap and reliable protection (profile)
- Many ratings for different customers
Drawbacks
- MCBs are replacing fuses in many places
- Most parts are bought in, so margin is thin
- Testing must be strict; a bad fuse can cause fire
- Branded switchgear makers compete
Skills you need
- Fuse element design for each rating
- Assembly and press work
- Testing to IS 13703
- Selling to panel makers and contractors
Why difficulty 2/5: Simple assembly; strict testing and a slowly shrinking market are the challenges.
§3Market
Who buys
- Factories and workshops
- Control panel and switchboard makers
- Electrical contractors
- Shops, offices and institutions needing replacements
How it sells
- Electrical wholesalers and dealers
- Direct supply to panel makers
Good to know
- The profile ties demand to rural and urban electrification and to replacement sales.
- The profile admits MCBs are available but expects fuse demand to stay reasonable.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic power press, 10 tonne | 1 | ₹75,000 |
| Pneumatic power press, 5 tonne | 2 | ₹80,000 |
| Air compressor | 1 | ₹25,000 |
| Printing machine | 1 | ₹20,000 |
| Hand press | 2 | ₹20,000 |
| Drill machine | 2 | ₹20,000 |
| Baking oven | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Tapping machine | 3 | ₹15,000 |
| Spot welder, brazing set, grinder, soldering stations, bench vices | 1 lot | ₹30,000 |
| Testing: test bench, double Kelvin bridge, current injection set, HV breakdown tester, fuse test rigs, temperature-rise set and gauges | 1 lot | ₹50,000 |
From: DC-MSME project profile — HRC Fuse Links, 1000 VAC (2003)
- Electroplated copper blades50,000 a month at ₹2 = ₹1,00,000
- Electroplated copper end covers50,000 a month at ₹2 = ₹1,00,000
- Fuse elements25,000 a month at ₹2 = ₹50,000
- Ceramic barrels and porcelain base plates₹50,000 a month
- Silica powder, blown-fuse indicators, copper/brass hardware, misc.₹42,500 a month
From: DC-MSME project profile — HRC Fuse Links, 1000 VAC (2003)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- BIS certification to IS 13703 where buyers or a QCO require it
- Trade licence from the local body
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- Stand-Up IndiaCentralClosed₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore loan
The ₹16.73 L project fits PMEGP, MUDRA (Tarun, up to ₹20 L), CGTMSE and Stand-Up India.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: DC-MSME profile: production machinery ₹3.00 L (10-tonne pneumatic press ₹75,000, two 5-tonne pneumatic presses ₹80,000, air compressor ₹25,000, printing machine ₹20,000, 2 hand presses ₹20,000, baking oven ₹15,000 and more) + testing equipment ₹50,000 + dies, jigs, electrification and furniture ₹65,000 = fixed capital ₹4.15 L; working capital for 3 months ₹12.58 L; total ₹16.73 L. Building rented.
Working capital: Working capital for 3 months ₹12.58 L; monthly spend ₹4.19 L, of which bought-out parts ₹3.43 L for 25,000 fuses.
Prices from 2002–03 — machinery, material and wage costs will be much higher now.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: EEPC India
- Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Shift from fuses to MCBs
- Price rise of copper parts
- Product failure claims
- Competition from large brands
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working hrc fuse link assembly unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start HRC Fuse Link Assembly?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.