Earlier quoted context omitted.
The reason fuses are prohibited in distribution panels for homes and many other types of buildings has nothing to do with the magnitude of the potential overcurrents. The prohibitions on fuses and requirements for circuit breakers exist because experience has shown that occupants will frequently short across rather than replacing blown fuses. The resulting fire and shock hazard endanger not only the occupants but the…
You got it. I looked at a fixer upper house where the mains still had an ancient fuse box. Most of the high draw fuses had old pennies wedged in with a blown fuse. How the place was standing, I don't know!
http://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=4&doc_id=128389...
But, still, you need someone who understands what't being done.