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Is it advisable to use a 30 A fuse in circuit that is rated to carry only 20 A?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Yes, 20 amp fuses are available in many different sizes and types.
If what you meant is "Can you upgrade from a 15A to a 20A fuse?" then, for more information, see the answers to the Related questions shown below.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. A fuse of a higher rating than what is called for will allow a higher current to flow through the circuit which could cause the insulation on the wire to melt, the wire to burn open or components in the circuit to become unusable. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoCertainly. Providing that the circuit is capable of safely carrying 20A. But the circuit was most likely put on a 15A fuse for a reason. ie. the circuit can't handle more than 15A. As a general rule, always replace a fuse with another of the same rating.
You need to ensure that all wire in the circuit is at least 12 gauge. This is usually not the case in lighting circuits where the wire gauge is typically 14 gauge. Also all switches and outlets on the circuit should be rated 20 A which is non-standard. If you are replacing the 15 with a 20 because the circuit keeps tripping, that is probably a BAD IDEA.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe purpose of a fuse or breaker is to prevent electrical fires. Using a 30 in place of a 20 is not advisable even if it does not immediately cause a short. Taking a chance with that is like playing with your life.
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Fuses are sized to protect conductors
If the appliances plugged-in or connected to a circuit all used to work ok without blowing the circuit's 20 amps fuse, the first thing you must do is find out if a new fault has developed inside one of the appliances. A fault in an appliance is what needs to be fixed first and then you can repair or replace the blown 20 amp fuse with another 20 amp fuse.
If the 20 amp fuse for a circuit blew because you have just plugged-in a different appliance that had not been used on that circuit before, it must be overloading the circuit and you should either:
- plug the appliance into a separate circuit which can take the load without blowing its fuse or
- re-distribute all the existing loads on the circuit until its 20 amp fuse stops blowing or
- install an additional circuit with the right wire size and fuse or circuit breaker to supply all the required appliance(s) safely.
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Changing from an existing 20 amp fuse to a 30 amp fuse because the load you are trying to supply makes the 20 amp fuse blow would never be advisable - it is called "over-fusing". Before you ever do that you must be sure that the circuit's wiring is adequately sized for that higher current level.
If there is a 20 amp fuse already, it is probably because the wire is only rated to carry 20 amps. Putting-in a higher fuse size would allow the circuit to be overloaded, with possible conductor damage and fire as a result
House fires often break out because someone has put in a fuse with too high a rating and let it run continuously in an overloaded state. If left like that, it can eventually get hot enough to start a fire.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone
should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work
is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIn a temporary situation yes but it should be replaced with the correct size as soon as possible.
No, the fuse is meant as protection for the circuit. Installing a larger fuse can cause the wiring to burn if a short occurs.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoNo, the fuse must be rated lower. If a 30amp fuse is used on a circuit rated as 20amp, the cables would heat in the case of a short, before the fuse would blow and switch off the circuit - leaving a fire hazard.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agobut it shouldn't. a higher fuse won't warn you of an issue before damage occurs in the circuit.
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Can a 10 amp AGC fuse be used in a 10 amp rated DC circuit?
Yes, as long as the fuse is able to be inserted into the fuse holder it will work.
Why are fuses used in the electrical circuits at home?
The fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse. <<>> for overcurrent protection nec art, 240
What best describes the condition that occurs when bare wires in an electrical circuit accidentally touch causing more current to flow than the circuit can safely carry it will cause a fuse or circiut?
The correct name is a Short Circuit.
What is a fuse with a higher than required rating used in an electrical circuit?
A fuse with a higher than rated for a electrical circuit is used to handle spikes in the electricity delivered. Lets take a normal household wall socket. They are said rated at 120 Volt . They are in fact 115 V to 125 V a/c electricity @ 15 Amps.
Can you use a 20 amp fuse and wire rated for it in a 15 amp outlet?
You can use the wire rated for 20 amps on a 15 amp receptacle but you can not use a 20 amp fuse on any device rated at 15 amps. This is a tricky part of the code about receptacle outlets, You can use a 15 amp duplex outlet on a 20 amp circuit. (duplex outlet two devices can plug in) If it is a single outlet then the outlet must be rated 20 amp. NEC table210.21(B)(3). ============ A 15 amp duplex receptacle can be wired to a 20 amp rated circuit. This means the breaker OR fuse protecting the circuit can be rated 20 amps if the wire is also rated at 20 amps (12 AWG). --Sparkfighter
What is the difference between a fuse and circuit?
a fuse main purpose is to quickly disconnect a short circuit. when the current passing through it exceed its rated value
How fuses are rated?
Fuses are rated by amperage (current) and voltage. The larger the current need, the larger the rating of the fuse, to handle the current. The voltage rating of a fuse defines the maximum value of circuit voltage in which the fuse can be safely used. A fuse should not be used in a circuit with a voltage exceeding the voltage rating of the fuse.
Why is it not okay to use a fuse with a higher amperage rating in an electrical circuit?
The fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. A fuse of a higher rating than what is called for will allow a higher current to flow through the circuit which could cause the insulation on the wire to melt, the wire to burn open or components in the circuit to become unusable. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse.
Can use an ac rated fuse on a dc circuit?
if it matches the current rating.... then no problem.
What fuses should you use in your 67 Dodge Dart GT?
every circuit has a different rated amp fuse, it should say on the fuse box what amp to use for each circuit.
What is the use of a fuse in a circuit?
A fuse is designed to blow off safely without causing fire when an excess current passes through it. This to prevent damaging the circuit load and is also used for isolating the circuit to carry out some service.
Can a 10 amp AGC fuse be used in a 10 amp rated DC circuit?
Yes, as long as the fuse is able to be inserted into the fuse holder it will work.
Why does a fuse pop when the ac gets turned on?
usually it's down to a short circuit, wires touching etc. or the fuse could be under rated.
What causes Blown fuses when starting a 2001 chrysler sebring?
A fuse blows when the current in the circuit passes what the fuse is rated at. If you are blowing the ECM/starter fuse, the starter is probably bad.
Can you replace a 15 amp fuse with a 10 amp fuse?
not smart to do it cant carry the load of the circuit it will blow. in emergency maybe but never go with a higher rating
Why are fuses used in the electrical circuits at home?
The fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse. <<>> for overcurrent protection nec art, 240
How do you reset the circuit breaker on the cigarette lighter on a 63 ford falcon?
It does not have a circuit breaker. It uses a fuse to protect the circuit. Look for a blown fuse in the fuse panel under the dash on the drivers side.I believe the cigarette lighter circuit is protected with a glass barrel fuse not a circuit breaker. Check the fuse box for a blown fuse.
