What type of fuses would likely be used to protect a meter?

Dual-element fuses are designed to handle both overload and short-circuit conditions effectively, making them suitable for protecting sensitive equipment like meters. These fuses contain two elements that respond differently under various current overload scenarios. The first element is fast-acting and protects against short circuits, while the second element is slower, allowing for brief overloads that may occur during normal operations without blowing the fuse immediately. This characteristic is crucial for meters, as they often experience transient surges in current that should not necessarily result in a blown fuse, allowing for continued operation while still being protected against more serious faults.

In comparison, other options like single-element fuses might lack the necessary dual protection required for complex devices, fast-acting fuses could fail during momentary overloads, and slow-blow fuses generally do not react quickly enough to protect against short circuits, making dual-element fuses the most effective choice for meter protection.