Wire in air split fuse with built-in arc quencher

A circuit protection device including a housing having a top section mounted to a bottom section, a first arc barrier extending from the bottom section, a second arc barrier extending from the top section, the top and bottom sections mounted together to define a cavity between the first arc barrier separated a distance from the second arc barrier, a first terminal and a second terminal secured to the bottom section, and a fuse element comprising a body of metallic material arranged in one of a plurality of geometric configurations mounted within the top section and the bottom section of the housing, extending through the first arc barrier and the second arc barrier and connected to the first and second terminals, wherein the first and second arc barriers resist arcing upon activation of the fuse and the fuse element melts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition.