Fuses & Fusing

[sv8predator]

Originally Posted by Clive Foster

Half as much again current as the rated one is almost invariably safe. Unlike UK mains in-plug fuses there is no great concern over protecting the wiring harness as, for nearly all loads, wires are well oversize.

Sorry, I don't like any of that.

Running too much current through the fuse (although not enough to blow the fuse), will overheat the fuse. This in itself leads to higher resistance through the fuse which leads to further overheating. And the wiring certainly can be affected by this.

So can the plastic fuse blocks; they melt. Once it get to this stage, there can be a real fire danger. Do don't take the risk by running more current through a fuse that it's rated for.