Everything you wanted to know about car fuses

A fuse is really a type of overcurrent protection device. Composed of a metal wire or strip, it can melt when too much current flows, to break the circuit to which it is connected. In the event of overload, the device does not prevent excess current, so further damage can be avoided. Fuses limit the threat to human life and property damage.

Wiring codes establish specifications for the maximum current rating of circuits. Automotive fuses are used to protect electrical wiring and equipment in vehicles. They are rated for circuits that may not have more than 24 volts DC, but others may be of types rated for 42 volt electrical systems.

Blade fuses have a plastic body with two prongs that fit into commonly used vehicle sockets. Each of these is imprinted with a numerical amp rating. They come in four different physical dimensions, being low-profile mini (APS), mini (APM/ATM), regular (APR/ATC/ATO), and heavy-duty maxi (APX).

The APS fuse is also called a micro since the term means smaller than mini. Regular blade types are better known as standard fuses and were developed in 1976 for low voltage use in motor vehicles. Mini fuses were introduced in the 1990s. Blade type fuses are mounted on blocks, in-line brackets, or even clips.

Well, manufacturers of car fuses include Bosch, which makes well-known types of torpedoes or ATS. Mostly used in vintage cars, its physical dimension is 6x25mm with tapered ends. Bosch types use the same color code for current rating and the DIN standard is 72581/1 with a fuse size of 6x25mm.

Lucas type fuses are also used in vintage or assembled automobiles and are 1 inch or 1.25 inches in length with tapered ends. They use the same color code for the rated current. Lucas types have three ratings: direct current that they are designed for, instantaneous current at which they will turn off, and direct current at which they will also melt.

Modern vehicles that have electrical systems protected by glass cartridges are rated at 32 volts with current ratings from 4 amps to 30 amps. Its dimensions and features are J554 standard. They are all 1/4 inch in diameter and the length varies depending on their ratings. A 4 amp is 5/8 of an inch, 20 amp is 1 1/4 inches, and 30 amp is 1 7/16 inches.

The limiting fuse with metal strips on a blocking plate is for currents greater than 40 amps. Used in close proximity to starter battery boxes, they are used in electric vehicles such as forklifts. While blown fuses in cars wouldn’t indicate a major problem in most cases, but if they blow badly, it could be an indication of a problem with the electrical system. This means that you should check the maintenance of the vehicle.

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