respective end walls of the base proximate a respective end of the fuse element the first and second end caps each define a surface mount area for connection to a circuit board one of the end caps comprises at least one of a retention dimple and an opening formed completely through a thickness of the end cap proximate the surface mount area optionally the base may include an exterior end cap retention cavity that receives the retention dimple the cover may optionally include an end cap retention opening that receives the retention dimple at least one of the end walls may include a fuse element receiving slot the cover may be longitudinally spaced from the fuse element receiving slot when the cover is fitted to the base one of the end caps may optionally be provided with solder to establish electrical connection between the one end cap and one of the ends of the fuse element alternatively neither of the end caps is internally provided with solder to establish the electrical connection between the one end cap and one of the ends of the fuse element one of the end caps may be provided with conductive ink to establish the electrical connection between the one end cap and one of the ends of the fuse element at least one of the base and the cover may be fabricated from a ceramic material the fuse element receiving cavity may be filled with an arc quenching media the fuse element may be bonded to the fuse element receiving slot the cover may include a generally planar element of uniform thickness an embodiment of.