What is fuse link wire?
A fusible link is a short piece of low-voltage wire in a vehicle’s wiring harness that acts as a fuse. It provides circuit protection in a vehicle’s wiring in case of a short circuit or voltage spike.
Why use a fusible link instead of a fuse?
Fusible links—also spelled fuseable and fusable—serve a similar purpose to a fuse. Just like a fuse, the link is designed to handle a lower current (amp) load than the rest of the system so, in the event of a short or overload, the link will be the first failure point.
Why do fusible links go bad?
Fusible links work off of heat in the wire (resistance). Too high a resistance, the wire in the fusible link melts and creates an open (like blowing a fuse). It is possible that after many years of use and power through the wire that it indeed didn’t have the same load capacity as a brand new one.
What amperage is a 12 gauge fusible link?
Single 12 gauge wire = 20-25 amps for the fuse.
What wire size fusible link should your customer use when protecting a 10 gauge wire?
For AWG sizes (wire gauges), each fusible link is four wire gauge sizes smaller than the wire it is designed to protect. For example: to protect a 10 gauge wire, use a 14 gauge link (or for metric, to protect a 5mm wire, use a 2mm link).
How many amps is a fusible link?
18 gauge fusable links are rated at 14 gauge wire or 15 amps , 16 gauge are rated at 12 gauge wire or 20 amps. The fusible link that protects the wire should then be two gauge sizes (or four numbers larger).
What amperage is a 20 gauge fusible link?
If 20 Gauge, Maxi Fuse it for 10 amps… (max is 11. 1 amps..) If the wire is bigger, look up the ampacity of the wire and fuse it accordingly.
What is the purpose of a fusible link in a car?
A fusible link is a special type of wire that protects a circuit that has constant high current requirements and must resist high surges in the circuit. The circuit between the alternator and battery is a good example of a circuit where a fusible link would be used.
Can you replace a fusible link with a circuit breaker?
You reset a circuit breaker and you could end up with a fire at the source of the short/overload. Fusible link is the CORRECT circuit protection for the main power circuits off the battery and alternator. Mega fuses may be an alternative but not CBs. Okay.
What type of electrical circuit is found in cars?
The electrical system of a car is a closed circuit with an independent power source the battery . It operates on a small fraction of the power of a household circuit.
How does a fuse link work?
Fusible links include mechanical and electrical devices. A mechanical fusible link is a device consisting of two strips of metal soldered together with a fusible alloy that is designed to melt at a specific temperature, thus allowing the two pieces to separate.
A fusible link is a short piece of insulated low-voltage cable within an automotive wiring harness that is designed to protect the harness in applications where a fuse is unsuitable.
What happens when the fusible link goes bad?
When it fails, it will break the continuity in the rest of the circuit, preventing damage to other components down the line. A fusible link typically costs a couple of bucks and can be replaced in 30 minutes.
What is the purpose of a fusible link?
What does the fusible link control?
What temperature does a fusible link melt?
About fusible link’s The melting point of the alloy can be engineered to release at temperatures ranging from 135F/57C to 500F/260C.
What is the characteristics of fusible link detector?
Fusible links are temperature sensitive fire protection devices designed to be part of a fire protection system. The system is activated when the ambient temperature increases to the point that causes the fusible link to “break-apart”.
What size fusible link should I use for a 10 gauge wire?
How many amps can a 12 gauge fusible link handle?
Are fusible links color coded?
Colors and physical dimensions for blade type fuses are laid out in DIN 72581, and not all colors or amperage ratings are available in all sizes. While color-coding is standard almost across the board for different types of automotive blade fuses, two notable exceptions are 25 A and 35 A maxi fuses.