Solid / Neutral Links – Type SL

Solid / Neutral Links – Type SL Solid Link | Neutral Link | Shorting Link | Electrical Neutral Link | Neutral Links

Product Introduction

The Lawson Type SL is a comprehensive range of Solid Links and Neutral Links designed to fit directly into all Lawson fuse bases and fuse holders in place of fuse-links. As a Shorting Link and Electrical Neutral Link solution, the Type SL range provides a safe, secure, and dimensionally matched solid metal connection wherever a fuse position needs to be bridged rather than protected — most commonly in the neutral conductor of a three-phase or four-wire electrical installation where overcurrent protection of the neutral is not required by the wiring regulations, but a secure, reliable electrical connection must still be maintained within the fuse holder or fuse base assembly.

Neutral links are small pieces of metal that act as the terminal in a circuit — providing a continuous, low-resistance electrical path through the fuse holder position without the protective function of a fuse-link. The Lawson Type SL Neutral Link range is available for the full Lawson fuse holder and fuse base portfolio, including Boltin (LBI), Clipfit (LCF), Pullcap (LPC), street lighting, and other fuse holder types — making the Type SL the complete Solid Link and Electrical Neutral Link system for industrial, commercial, and street lighting electrical installations across the UK.

Key Features

• Solid Link — dimensionally matched solid metal links that fit directly into Lawson fuse bases and holders in place of fuse-links
• Neutral Link — the standard solution for the neutral conductor position in three-phase and four-wire fuse assemblies where neutral overcurrent protection is not required
• Shorting Link — provides a permanent, secure, low-resistance electrical connection through a fuse holder position
• Electrical Neutral Link — available for Boltin (LBI), Clipfit (LCF), Pullcap (LPC), street lighting, and all other Lawson fuse holder types
• Available for all Lawson fuse-base and fuse-holder ranges — providing a single, coordinated Neutral Link system across the entire Lawson product portfolio
• Sized and dimensioned to match the corresponding fuse-link for each fuse holder type and current rating — ensuring correct fitment, secure contact, and low contact resistance
• Compatible with the full range of Lawson bolted tag (N&T/SS), compact dimension (CDS), Pullcap, Clipfit, street lighting, and cylindrical (LFN) fuse holder systems
• Manufactured under ISO 9001 accredited quality management system — ensuring consistent quality for critical installation applications

Why Solid Links and Neutral Links Are Needed

In a three-phase four-wire (TN-S or TN-C-S) electrical installation, fuse protection is normally provided on each of the three line conductors (L1, L2, L3). The neutral conductor (N), however, is typically not fused in UK installations — wiring regulations generally prohibit the insertion of overcurrent protective devices in the neutral conductor of TN systems, as interrupting the neutral on a live circuit can create hazardous touch voltages.

However, many fuse assemblies — particularly bolted tag industrial fuse holders, Clipfit fuse holders, Pullcap holders, and street lighting cut-outs — are physically designed around a four-way assembly, with a fuse position for each of three lines and a fourth position for the neutral. In the neutral position, a Solid Link (also called a Neutral Link, Shorting Link, or Electrical Neutral Link) is fitted instead of a fuse-link. The Solid Link maintains the continuous electrical connection of the neutral conductor through the fuse assembly without providing any overcurrent protection — exactly as required by wiring regulations.

Applications

The Lawson Type SL Solid Link, Neutral Link, and Shorting Link range is used in:

• Industrial distribution boards and panels — neutral conductor connection in three-phase four-wire Boltin (LBI) fuse holder assemblies
• Clipfit fuse holder assemblies — neutral position in LCF compact dimension fuse holder four-way assemblies
• Pullcap (LPC) fuse holder assemblies — neutral position in PULLCAP modular fuse holder assemblies
• Cylindrical fuse holder assemblies — neutral position in MS series modular fuse holders (MSC 81N, 101N, 141N, 221N integral neutral link variants)
• Street lighting cut-out installations — neutral connection in street lighting fuse base assemblies
• Motor control centres (MCCs) — neutral conductor connection in multi-way industrial fuse assemblies
• Switchgear and distribution equipment — wherever a fuse position is required for the neutral conductor in fused assemblies to BS 88-2 and IEC 60269 standards

Why Choose Lawson Type SL Solid / Neutral Links?

The correct selection of a Neutral Link is not simply a matter of finding any piece of metal that fits — the Solid Link used in a Lawson fuse holder must be dimensionally matched to the holder type, current rating, and fuse-link format it replaces. A poorly fitting or incorrectly sized Shorting Link can result in high contact resistance, localised overheating, or mechanical insecurity within the fuse assembly — all of which represent safety risks in an energised panel.

The Lawson Type SL Electrical Neutral Link range is purpose-designed and dimensionally matched for each Lawson fuse holder type — from the smallest NIT A1 Boltin holder at 20A through to the LFN 22 cylindrical holder at 125A — ensuring correct fitment, secure bolted or clip contact, and consistently low contact resistance in every neutral conductor position. With a single, coordinated Type SL system covering the full Lawson fuse holder portfolio, panel builders and electrical contractors can specify and stock Neutral Links for all holder types from a single trusted UK manufacturer.

All Lawson Type SL products are manufactured under an ISO 9001 accredited quality management system — providing the quality assurance and traceability that panel builders, electrical contractors, and DNO-approved installers require.

The Lawson Type SL Solid Link and Neutral Link range covers all standard Lawson fuse holder and fuse base types. The following table summarises the principal solid/neutral link references by fuse holder system:

For Pullcap (LPC) solid/neutral links, refer to the LPC product range. Full Type SL reference schedules for all fuse holder types are available in the Short Form Catalogue.

Q1. What is a Solid Link?

A Solid Link is a solid metal component that fits into a fuse base or fuse holder in place of a fuse-link, providing a permanent, unprotected electrical connection through the holder position. Unlike a fuse-link, a Solid Link contains no fuse element and will not interrupt the circuit under any fault or overload condition — its purpose is purely to make a secure, low-resistance electrical connection where a fuse holder position is present but fuse protection is not required, most commonly in the neutral conductor position of a three-phase or four-wire fuse assembly. The Lawson Type SL is a Solid Link and Neutral Link range available for all Lawson fuse holder types.

Q2. What is a Neutral Link?

A Neutral Link is a Solid Link specifically used in the neutral conductor position of a fuse assembly — typically in a three-phase four-wire panel where the three line conductors are fused but the neutral conductor requires a secure connection through the fuse holder without overcurrent protection. Wiring regulations in the UK (BS 7671) generally prohibit the use of fuses in the neutral conductor of TN systems, making the Neutral Link the correct and required fitting for the neutral position in any fuse assembly that includes a neutral conductor position. The Lawson Type SL Neutral Link is available for Boltin, Clipfit, Pullcap, cylindrical, and street lighting fuse holder types.

Q3. What is a Shorting Link?

A Shorting Link is another term for a Solid Link or Neutral Link — a solid metal component that bridges a fuse holder position to create a permanent, unfused electrical connection. The term Shorting Link is sometimes used to emphasise that the component creates a direct short circuit through the holder position (i.e., it bypasses any fuse protection at that point in the circuit) — though this is the intended and correct function in neutral conductor applications. The Lawson Type SL Shorting Link range is dimensionally matched to each Lawson fuse holder type.

Q4. What is an Electrical Neutral Link?

An Electrical Neutral Link is the technical term used in electrical installation practise for the Neutral Link or Solid Link fitted in the neutral conductor position of a fuse assembly. It establishes the required neutral conductor connection within the fuse base or holder without providing overcurrent protection — as required by BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations) for the neutral conductor in TN earthing systems. The Lawson Type SL Electrical Neutral Link range covers all standard Lawson fuse holder types, current ratings, and fuse-link formats.

Q5. Why should I use a Neutral Link in the neutral position rather than a fuse-link?

In TN-S and TN-C-S earthing systems (the most common UK earthing arrangements), UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) generally prohibit the installation of overcurrent protective devices in the neutral conductor. This is because interrupting the neutral conductor on a live circuit while the line conductors remain energised can result in dangerous touch voltages appearing on normally earthed metalwork. A Neutral Link (Solid Link) in the neutral fuse position maintains the neutral connection without providing any overcurrent protection — exactly as required. Using a fuse-link in the neutral position of a TN system would be a wiring regulations violation in most circumstances.

Q6. Are Solid Links available for all Lawson fuse holder types?

Yes. The Lawson Type SL Solid Link and Neutral Link range is available for all standard Lawson fuse holder types — including Boltin (LBI) in sizes A1 through B2, Clipfit (LCF) in E1, F1, and F2 formats, Pullcap (LPC), cylindrical (MS series using SLLFN references), and street lighting fuse holder types. Each Solid Link is dimensionally matched to the specific fuse holder type and current rating it is designed for, ensuring correct fitment, secure contact, and low contact resistance.

Q7. How do I identify the correct Neutral Link reference for my Lawson fuse holder?

The correct Neutral Link reference is determined by the Lawson fuse holder type and current rating of the assembly. For Boltin LBI holders, SLA1 (20A/A1), SLA2 (32A/A2), SLA3 (63A/A3), SLA4 (100A/A4), and SLB2 (200A/B2). For Clipfit LCF holders, SLE1 (20A/E1), SLF1 (32A/F1), and SLF2 (63A/F2). For cylindrical MS holders, SLLFN 820 (20A/8.5×31.5mm), SLLFN 10 32 (32A/10x38mm), SLLFN 14 50 (50A/14x51mm), and SLLFN 22 125 (125A/22x58mm). Full reference schedules for all holder types are available in the Lawson Short Form Catalogue or by contacting the Lawson Fuses sales team.

Q8. Can a Solid Link be used as a temporary bypass during testing or commissioning?

While a Solid Link can physically be fitted in place of a fuse-link to create a continuous circuit through a fuse holder position, using a Shorting Link as a temporary bypass on a live line conductor for testing purposes should only be done by suitably qualified and competent electricians following appropriate safe working procedures and risk assessments. A Solid Link fitted in a line conductor position removes all overcurrent protection from that circuit — which can be hazardous if the circuit develops a fault while the link is in place. Always ensure appropriate isolation, permit-to-work, and safe working procedures are followed.

Q9. Is the Lawson Type SL Solid Link suitable for neutral links in street lighting cut-outs?

Yes. The Lawson Type SL range includes Solid Links and Neutral Links for use in street lighting fuse base assemblies — providing the neutral conductor connection within street lighting cut-out equipment where only the line conductor is fused. These are available to complement the Lawson Type LST Street Lighting Fuse-Link range.

Q10. How do I order the Lawson Type SL Solid / Neutral Links?

The Lawson Type SL Solid Link, Neutral Link, Shorting Link, and Electrical Neutral Link range is available through the Lawson Fuses sales team and their network of authorised sales partners and electrical wholesalers across the UK. Contact Lawson Fuses directly for trade pricing, availability by fuse holder type and current rating, and technical support for your installation or panel building project.