When you need to connect an electrical accessory in your vehicle, there are several options for doing so. One option is to use a fuse tap, which replaces a fuse in the car’s fuse box and allows you to tap into your vehicle’s power system. But before you start connecting wires to the fuse tap, it’s important that you understand how fuses work and what to expect when installing a fuse.
A fuse is an overcurrent protection device that interrupts an electric circuit when the current exceeds a certain limit. It is a common safety measure that protects devices and wiring from short-circuiting and fires. The fuse is a common component found in almost every electrical circuit, but there are many other types of protective devices, such as switch-like devices called circuit breakers.
Fuses can also be used for low-current applications, such as small consumer electronics like hair dryers and coffee makers. These devices usually contain a thermal fuse that uses a fusible, temperature-sensitive composition that melts when the surrounding temperature gets too high and allows the spring contact mechanism in the device to break the circuit.
The current that flows through a fuse is controlled by its amperage rating, which is printed on the front of each fuse. Amperage is measured in volts, and the fuse’s amperage rating is typically given in multiple colors so you can easily identify which fuse corresponds to your application.
Once you’ve selected the right fuse, you’ll need to connect it to the power wire of any electrical accessories that you’re connecting. The best way to do this is to use a pair of wire strippers and a crimp connector that accommodates the wire type you’re connecting.
Step 1: Cut the positive, or “hot,” wire near the battery/power source with the pair of wire cutting pliers. You can also use a screwdriver or knife to cut the wire as close to the power source as possible.
Next, strip about 1/4-inch off the end of each wire using the wire stripping pliers. Then, twist the ends of each stripped wire together to make them firm for insertion into the crimp connector.
The twisted end of each wire is then connected to the appropriate wire connector on your fuse tap. This can be a simple slide connector, or you might have to crimp the wire connector on with a crimp tool.
You may have to do this if the wires in your fuse tap are not designed to be tapped into with a screwdriver or knife, as these connectors will likely be glued into place. The fuse tap itself should have a diagram and instructions for identifying which wires to connect.
Step 2: Check the fuse slots in your fuse block to ensure that you’re connecting to the correct constant and switched fuses. Depending on your vehicle, some fuse slots might be labelled with a specific color or tag.
If you’re not sure which fuse slot to use, open the fuse block in your vehicle and test it by inserting a fuse into the slot. If it doesn’t have any power, you should search for a different slot that does have power. Alternatively, you can look in the owner’s manual for information on which fuses are in your fuse block and which ones are compatible with the electrical accessories you want to use.
