What is the Function of an Automotive Fuse?
3 Answers
Automotive fuses are designed to protect the electrical circuits by melting and cutting off the current when it abnormally rises to a certain level and duration. Precautions for replacing automotive fuses: Always replace the fuse with one that matches the rated current specified on the fuse box cover. Do not use a fuse with a higher rated current. If the new fuse blows immediately, it indicates a possible fault in the electrical system, which should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. In case of no spare fuse: In an emergency, if there is no spare fuse available, you can temporarily replace it with a fuse from other non-essential devices that do not affect driving and safety. If a fuse with the same current load cannot be found, you may use one with a lower rated current than the original fuse.
I have a deep understanding of car fuses. Last time, the cigarette lighter in my car suddenly lost power, which really stressed me out. A friend suggested that it might be a blown fuse and taught me how to check it myself. I opened the small box under the steering wheel, which had a row of colored plastic pieces, each responsible for different devices. A fuse is essentially a circuit safety valve. When the current suddenly increases (for example, if you improperly wire a modified audio system), it melts and cuts off the current. This protects the more expensive equipment behind it, preventing damage to the radio assembly or even causing a fire. That time, I replaced it with a 10-amp fuse, which cost less than ten yuan to fix. Without this little thing, I might have had to spend hundreds to replace the entire circuit. Regularly checking the fuse box is quite important, especially for friends who often go on road trips.
As an ordinary car owner, I understand that car fuses are like guardian angels of the circuit. That day when I started the car, I found the air conditioning wasn't cooling, but the dashboard had power. The mechanic opened the fuse box behind the glove compartment and found that little blue piece corresponding to the AC. He explained that fuses are made of special alloy filaments that melt when the current exceeds the rated value. For example, using seat heaters at high power in winter or incorrectly wiring fog lights during modifications could trigger the protection. What scared me most was realizing that without this little component, wires could turn red-hot during a short circuit, potentially igniting the seat leather. I recommend keeping a few spare fuses of common specifications in the car—5A, 10A, 20A—as they can save a lot of trouble in emergencies.
