INTRODUCTION

Cars have various electrical components that require a fuse to protect against short circuits.
There are two fuse boxes, one located near the engine or under the hood and the other is located
near the driver seat.

The car fuse box under the hood protects engine components including engine control unit
(ECU), cooling fan, ABS motor and battery. Whereas the fuse box near the dashboard protects
cabin components like power windows, interior lights, radio or infotainment system and turn
signals.

Fuses
A fuse is a device that protects electrical systems against potentially dangerous power surges and
excessive temperatures. When subjected to extreme conditions, the fuse will blow or burn out.
Unlike a circuit breaker, a fuse cannot be reset. It must be replaced.
Fuse Boxes
A fuse box is a metal box that contains screw-in fuses and cartridge fuses. Smaller than the
electrical service panels found in most homes today, fuse boxes contain between six and 12
fuses. Older fuse boxes are rated at 60-amp total capacity. By comparison, residential electrical
systems today are 200-amp total capacity. Usually, you will find two fuse boxes in the car. One
is located under the hood and the other is found in the dashboard or near the steering wheel. The
fuse under the hood protects important engine components and accessories like battery, ECU and
cooling fan. The internal fuse box protects the interior cabin components, including lights, radio
and powered controls. The fuse box is powered directly by the battery. The wires from the fuse
box connected to the vehicle components that need protection. The fuses consist of a wire
conductor that breaks when the current exceeds the ampere limit. The ampere limit is usually
defined on each fuse along with different colour codes. Most modern vehicles use decals in the
fuse box indicating the designated circuit for each fuse. It might label a fuse slot as “AC 30” or
“Power Windows 15.”  The owner’s manual will also provide this information. Fuse boxes also
usually include a plastic tool, like a tweezer, to remove and replace fuses.

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Replacing Fuses

Refer to your owner’s manual to locate your vehicle’s fuse boxes. Not only will your manual
clue you in to where the fuse box is located, a diagram will also indicate the designated fuse for
each component. This diagram is quite useful in determining which fuse has blown. It is highly
recommended that when replacing fuses, you use only Original Equipment Manufacture and
equal amps. Do not replace a 10-amp fuse with a 30-amp fuse. The 10-amp is designed to blow
at a lower current rate, whereas a 30-amp would allow for a higher current to pass through.
Using a higher current to pass through than what is recommended, could be detrimental to the
component.

Though most fuse boxes will last the lifetime of the vehicle, there is a possibility that it may
require replacement if the terminals, where fuses are plugged into, become overheated and cause
the plastic to melt. Fuses are essentially the guardians of your vehicle’s electrical components.
Relays within the fuse panel help to protect the driver by keeping the high voltage supply away
from drive switches. The fuse box houses the fuses and relays to prevent damage from water,
weather, and other driving conditions. Vehicle fuse boxes often fail because of overheating for
several reasons including added aftermarket electrical accessories or components or incorrectly
sized connections and wires by the manufacturer, which typically results in a vehicle recalls. Any
time you are working with your vehicle’s electrical system, use extreme caution. Mishandling
the fuse box or fuses could cause irreversible damage to the vehicle or harm to you.

PURPOSE OF THE FUSE BOX IN A CAR

Fuses limit current and protect against fire.

Fuse box allow small control signals to run heavier equipment using larger signals, eg.
Headlights, starter, air conditioner. Small control signals can come from miniature switches or
machine computer output.

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This box puts all the electricity together to make it easier to serve and protect it from the
elements. (Heat, water, moisture, oil, dirt, etc.)

Fuses exist for several reasons, one of which is to prevent short circuit in one wire from drawing
destructive currents from other components. The car has a large strong current source as its
battery, and if all the flows are discharged through a small short-connected cable, it can easily
cause a fire. So Protect circuits with fuses and put all the fuses somewhere so easily found and
diagnosed should be one hit. Because the relays often change and turn off, and need to be
protected by their own fuses, put in the same place with the fuse when practical.

And that’s why the car has a fuse box with relays there too. The fuse used in the car box is to
limit the current and prevent fire. A relay is a switching device that uses a small electrical current
to control a much larger current in the second circuit. in other words, a relay directs power to a
circuit or component when it is turned on. Relays are usually used for components that draw
large currents such as headlamps, rear window defogger, fuel pump, a / c compressor clutch,
cooling fan, heater & fan blower, abs system, ignition circuit, even power windows, chairs and
horns.

The fuses are found in your car in them protecting the cable car from a lot of current flowing
through then. If they were no wire will heat up and insulation will melt, then the wire will melt
and you will have an open circuit, not much fun when it comes to cars, trucks.

Relays usually contain cubes with relays in them. This cube will have a cable going into it.

And examples of the relay in action, to start the car, you insert the car key into the ignition key
and play it. Here the car maker uses a gravity relay. in the simplest forum, a relay is nothing
more than a switch. Like the light switch in your home that you use every day to turn on the
lights. as I said, car makers need to switch to get the flow to the car start the motor.

So they use a switch. The only thing different in design and style is it does not look like a light
switch in your home so car makers use relays. The relay controls the incoming current to the car
starter. it is done in this way due to the fact that the car starters use a large amount of current,

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which is necessary to start the engine and get the engine running. a small amount of electric
current to control a larger amount of current.

TYPES OF FUSE BOX

Blade type

Blade type fuses come in six physical sizes: Micro2, Micro3, low-profile (LP) Mini, Mini,
Regular, Maxi Blade fuses (also called spade or plug-in fuses), with a plastic body and two
prongs that fit into sockets, are mostly used in automobiles. Other common usage is in
equipment with comparatively simple, low voltage DC electrical systems such towed campers
and marine applications such as sailboats and motor boats (typically smaller cabin cruisers).
Each fuse is printed with the rated current in amperes on the top.

These types of fuses come in six different physical dimensions:

 Micro2.
 Micro3.
 LP-mini (APS), also known as low-profile mini. Unofficially, the "low-profile mini" fuse
is sometimes incorrectly called "Micro" since the term means smaller than mini, but
recently fuses using the Micro name have been released.
 Mini (APM / ATM). The mini fuses were developed in the 1990s.
 Regular (APR / ATC / ATO / ATS) blade-type fuses, also known as standard, were
developed in 1976 as ATO by Littelfuse for low voltage use in motor vehicles. Bussmann
makes the ATC that also complies with the same ISO 8820-3 and SAE J1284 standards.
OptiFuse, a newer entrant in the market, makes regular (APR / ATC / ATO) fuses that
meet the same standards.
 Maxi (APX), heavy-duty.

Mount Blade fuse holder on Citroën Jumper

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 Blade type fuses can be mounted in:

 Fuse blocks (made of porcelain, slate, or other refractory material). Fuse blocks offer a
method of mounting several fuses together or large fuses separately.
 In-line fuse holders, with two standards: IEC publication 257 1968 Amendment no. 2 to
this publication dated January 1989 and UL-standard no. 512. They help to save space.
An inline fuse is often seen in add-on electrical accessories, where the manufacturer does
not know the electrical current limit of the circuit you are going to patch into. This offers
sufficient protection for that individual accessory, without regard to any other devices
that might share the same circuit.
 Dual slot fuse holders let you turn one fuse slot into two (in some way, similar to a power
strip, but for fuses).
 Fuse clips. Fuse clips can be inserted into a printed circuit board.

Size groups
Blade size Blade group Dimensions L × W × H Common ratings (maximum current)
Micro2 APT, ATR 9.1 × 3.8 × 15.3 mm 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
Micro3 ATL 14.4 × 4.2 × 18.1 mm 5, 7.5, 10, 15
LP-Mini APS, ATT 10.9 × 3.81 × 8.73 mm 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
(low profile)
Mini APM, ATM 10.9 × 3.6 × 16.3 mm 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
Regular APR,ATC,ATO, 19.1 × 5.1 × 18.5 mm 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,
ATS 35, 40
Maxi APX 29.2 × 8.5 × 34.3 mm 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100,
120

Where space permits, a miniature circuit breaker is sometimes used to replace a blade-type fuse
in the same fuse holder.

Blade fuses use a common coloring scheme for the Micro2, Micro3, low-profile (LP) Mini, Mini,
and regular size fuses, and a partial color similarity with the maxi size fuses. The following table
shows the commonly available fuses for each size group.

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Bosch type

Bosch type fuse (used in older cars) Bosch type fuses (also known as continental, torpedo,
European, or GBC type fuses) are used in old (often European) automobiles. The physical
dimension of this type of fuse is 6×25 mm with conical ends. Bosch type fuses usually use the
same color-coding for the rated current. The DIN standard is 72581/1.

Lucas type

Lucas type fuses are used in old British-made or assembled automobiles. The physical length of
the Lucas ceramic type of fuse is either 1 inch or 1.25 inch, with conical ends. Lucas glass tube
fuses have straight ends. Lucas type fuses usually use the same color-coding for the rated
current. Lucas fuses have three ratings; the continuous current they are designed to carry, the
instantaneous current at which they will fuse, and the continuous current at which they will also
fuse. The figure found on Lucas fuses is the continuous fusing current which is twice the
continuous ampere rating that the system should be using; this can be a source of confusion when
replacing Lucas fuses with non-Lucas fuses. The Lucas 1/4" diameter glass tube fuse has a
different length as compared to the standard US item. The Lucas 1/4" diameter glass tube fuse is
1 and 5/32" [≈29.4 mm] long, while the US standard 1/4" glass tube fuse is 1 and 1/4"
[≈32.0 mm] long. However many Lucas fuse holders permit the longer US version to be installed
easily. So on the steering shaft, if you dismantle it, you will see many small wires inside it. some
of these wires go into your car’s headlights, car ignition wiper ignition car.

HOW TO KNOW IF A FUSE IS BLOWN

You can test if a fuse is good or blown either visually or by checking it with a testing device such
as an ohmmeter or a continuity tester.

1. Visual Testing

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The glass window on screw-in fuses will sometimes be cloudy, brown, or black as a result of the
metal fusing element melting away. Or if the glass is clear, you might be able to see the severed
fusing element inside. 

2. With a Testing Device

Continuity testers and ohmmeters both are inexpensive electronic devices that measure electrical
resistance. To check a screw-in fuse with a tester, touch one test lead to the end of the fuse and
the other test lead to the threaded side of the fuse. 

To check a cartridge fuse, hold the test leads at opposite ends of the fuse. If the tester indicates a
current, then power is flowing through the fuse

HOW TO CHANGE A FUSE BOX.

Whether it's the rattling that comes and goes with the moon phases, a timing belt that obeys only
changes in barometric pressure, or the sudden flickering of that dreaded check engine light,
certain car problems require the professional experience and honest technical knowledge only a
mechanic can bring. This doesn't mean you should be afraid to approach your car with a tool
though. There are certain car fixes that every man should be capable of doing himself. Your
mechanic might not thank you for learning them, but your wallet surely will.

If you've never blown a fuse at home congratulations, you're an anomaly. Fuses are designed to
break as they prevent the overloading of the whole system—think of them as the noble sacrifices
of the electrical world. Changing a fuse in your car is similar to changing one at home.

1. Locate your car's fuse panel. You might need to check the owner's manual, but they can
usually be found under the steering wheel.

2. Take off the fuse panel's cover. Inside you'll see a range of colors and numbers that denote
different amperages while a diagram (usually on the reverse of the cover) will show what each
fuse powers in your car.

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3. Locate the blown fuse. The inside will usually be black or the metal filament might be
broken. If it's dark, you might want a flashlight to make this a quicker job.

4. Remove the broken fuse. You can use a variety of tools (or skip the tools and use your
hands) to extract the blown fuse, the important point is to use care. Fuses can break easily and a
broken fuse is a lot harder to get out than a fully intact one.

5. Insert a replacement fuse of the correct amperage—make note of the fuse panel and your
owner's manual on this one. Using a fuse of the incorrect amperage can cause serious electrical
problems.

6. Keep a few extra fuses of various amperages in your glove box. In a jam, you can always
take a fuse away from a lesser used function of the same amperage and use it for something more
pressing, but this is just a temporary fix. For example, if the fuse for your power windows is
blown and there's no rain in the forecast pull the working fuse that's allocated for your rear
windshield wiper and use it for power windows. Just double check that the amperages for each
are the same.

7. Start the ignition to check if your handiwork has paid off.

8. If the same fuse blows soon after you replaced it or doesn't work at all, it might be time for
a trip to the mechanic.

References

1. "Archived copy". www.optifuse.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021.

Retrieved 12 January 2022.
2. "ATO Series - Blade Fuses Automotive Aftermarket Products from Fuses - Littelfuse".
www.littelfuse.com. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
3. "ATC blade fuses" (PDF). www.cooperindustries.com. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
4. "ATC blade fuses". www.optifuse.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
5. "Narva | Standard ATS Blade". www.narva.com.au. Retrieved 2019-01-01.