What does 15A mean on a fuse?

The current flowing through a circuit is the combined wattage of all operating devices divided by the voltage. On a 120V circuit, power consumption beyond 1800W will blow a 15-amp fuse (1800W / 120V = 15 amps).

What does voltage rating on fuse mean?

The voltage rating is the maximum voltage that the fuse can safely operate at when an overcurrent situation happens. The voltage rating on the fuse can be higher than the voltage present on the circuit, but not the other way around. If a 250 VAC fuse is used on a device that uses 120 VAC, there should be no problem.

What is the resistance of a 15-amp fuse?

The fuse is nearly zero resistance, until current exceeds 15A. At that time resistance in the fuse still only drops the voltage by 1v or less, but it builds up enough heat to melt the metal of the fuse… while 15+A is still being delivered to the load. Once the fuse opens, the resistance is infinite.

What is a Type S fuse?

Type S fuses are also called tamper proof fuses because each fuse size has a different base and thread size. These fuses also require the use of a special adapter which is screwed into the standard Edison base of the fuse holder. The adapters have amperage ratings the same as the fuses which go in them.

Are all 15 amp fuses the same?

All Car Fuses Aren’t the Same Types differ primarily in size and number of terminals. Physically large fuses are typically used in high-current applications. In the past, vehicles commonly used glass tube and Bosch fuses.

What size fuse do I need for a 12V cigarette lighter?

Individual 12 volt accessories usually have fuses inside their cigarette plugs that are appropriately rated for the particular accessory. The fuse in the plug will normally blow before the 20 amp fuse does. The 20 amp fuse protects the wiring between the battery and the socket in case a short develops there.

Where does the fuse go in a 12V circuit?

Recommended practice is to place the fuse near the positive terminal of the battery, so the whole circuit will be dead if the fuse blows. (Of course, if the positive terminal is considered Ground, place the fuse near the negative terminal.)

Does the voltage on a fuse matter?

Is the voltage rating important? Yes, very important! The voltage rating of the selected fuse must be greater than or equal to the circuit voltage. Since fuses have such low resistance, the voltage rating becomes critical only when the fuse is trying to open.

What can run on 15 amps?

Each circuit is protected by a breaker or fuse. Bedrooms, living rooms and family rooms where only lights, alarm clocks and other small electrical items are usually used are normally on 15-amp circuits.

How many amps can a 15 amp breaker handle?

12-amps
The standard for most household circuits are rated either 15 amps or 20 amps. An important note to remember is that circuit breakers can only handle about 80\% of their overall amperage. That means a 15-amp circuit breaker can handle around 12-amps and a 20-amp circuit breaker can handle about 16 amps.