What fundamental concept established by Thomas E. Murray secures his role in fuse technology history?

Predictable failure for system preservation

Thomas E. Murray's enduring legacy in electrical safety is secured not just by inventing a device, but by establishing the core concept that a functional electrical system must incorporate a mechanism designed to fail predictably under catastrophic conditions. This principle, known as predictable failure for system preservation, means designing a specific weak point—the fuse element—to absorb the energy of a failure event, thereby protecting the more valuable and critical components like conductors and equipment from melting or igniting. This concept underpins virtually every protective device used in electrical engineering today, regardless of subsequent technological advancements.