How to tell if a fuse is blown ?
A fuse is an overloaded safety device were made by a short piece of wire that is designed to melt and break apart when exposed to an excess of electrical current. The fuse is connected in series to the circuit to protect them from becoming overload.
Yes, fuses are made to protect the electrical circuit from burned and fired so when the circuit get excessive load current, the fuse will melt and break up the circuit and the electric current will stop flowing.
As it happen, some electrical components will shut off and can not working properly. For example, you can't turning on the radio tape even you press the power button over and over, or when the room lamp is always off even you turn the switch into ON position.
When the kinds of electrical problems appears in your car, the most simple steps for the inspection is to check the fuses. And for this purposes, this article will inform you about how to tell if a fuse is blown, see the detailed information below...
The first thing to tell if a fuse is blown is to inspect the fuses visually. Some cars model have simple fuse box types so we can simply check the fuses visually, but the other cars model needs more action to inspect the fuses.
Using a fuse puller or needle nose pliers, we can pull out the indicated blown fuses and check them visually. Here are signs for blown fuses were mostly we can see..
Read also:
Test the fuse with measurement tools is the best option to tell if a fuse is blown or not. We can use DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter) or multitester for better inspection. As an option, you can use a test light for fuses inspection. Then, we can tell if a fuse is blown when :
Put the black lead (-) to the body or ground, and the red lead to A and B point like the image shown below
Result :
Notes and tips:
Always change the fuse with the same size and amperage. Don’t use non-fuse items, such as paper clips or jumper wires, in place of a proper automotive fuse.
Using a lower-rated fuse, such as a 10 A instead of 15 A, may work, but might blow under normal load. Using a higher-rated fuse, such as a 25 A instead of a 15 A, will work, but may not sufficiently protect the wiring in case of overloading.
If your fuses keep blowing, you have an electrical isuues that requires further investigation. It's better to call trusted and certified technician to solve the problem.
Yes, fuses are made to protect the electrical circuit from burned and fired so when the circuit get excessive load current, the fuse will melt and break up the circuit and the electric current will stop flowing.
As it happen, some electrical components will shut off and can not working properly. For example, you can't turning on the radio tape even you press the power button over and over, or when the room lamp is always off even you turn the switch into ON position.
When the kinds of electrical problems appears in your car, the most simple steps for the inspection is to check the fuses. And for this purposes, this article will inform you about how to tell if a fuse is blown, see the detailed information below...
1. Visually inspect fuses
The first thing to tell if a fuse is blown is to inspect the fuses visually. Some cars model have simple fuse box types so we can simply check the fuses visually, but the other cars model needs more action to inspect the fuses.
Using a fuse puller or needle nose pliers, we can pull out the indicated blown fuses and check them visually. Here are signs for blown fuses were mostly we can see..
A. Damage fuse surfaces
Damage fuse surfaces such as melted, burnt, or deformatioan surfaces because the heat is the first sign for us to know if the fuse is blown.B. The fuse surface turns black
The second things to tell if a fuse is blown is from the fuse surface were turn to black color. The black color was an ash from fire were burn the protected fuse surface.C. Broken wire
The latest things to tell if a fuse is blown is from the broken wire that we can see from the outside fuse surface. This broken wire indicated that the fuse is faulty and cannot be use anymore.Read also:
2. Test the fuse with measurement tools
Test the fuse with measurement tools is the best option to tell if a fuse is blown or not. We can use DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter) or multitester for better inspection. As an option, you can use a test light for fuses inspection. Then, we can tell if a fuse is blown when :
A. No continuity resistant between fuse pins
Adjust the DVOM (multimeter) knob to the Ohm meter to measure the fuse resistant and continuity. Make sure the DVOM screen shows 0 (zero) by connecting the DVOM leads for zero adjustment. Put the DVOM leads to each fuse pins at the same time and see the result below- If there is continuty (the screen shows 0 ohm) then the fuse is in good condition
- If there is no continuity (the screen shos OL Mohm) then the fuse is blown
B. No voltage on the opposite fuse pin
Besides using ohm meter, we can use voltmeter to measure the voltage were flown in the fuse to know if the fuse is blown or not. To do this, let the fuse attached in the fuse box then adjust the DVOM (multimeter) knob to the voltmeter.Put the black lead (-) to the body or ground, and the red lead to A and B point like the image shown below
- The fuse in good condition if the voltage in A and B point is same ( for example A= 12V B= 12V)
- The fuse is blown if one of the points (A or B) have 0 (zero) voltage.
Notes and tips:
Always change the fuse with the same size and amperage. Don’t use non-fuse items, such as paper clips or jumper wires, in place of a proper automotive fuse.
Using a lower-rated fuse, such as a 10 A instead of 15 A, may work, but might blow under normal load. Using a higher-rated fuse, such as a 25 A instead of a 15 A, will work, but may not sufficiently protect the wiring in case of overloading.
If your fuses keep blowing, you have an electrical isuues that requires further investigation. It's better to call trusted and certified technician to solve the problem.