Automotive Fuses

Discover our range of automotive fuses and fuse sets online now at Cromwell. We stock a comprehensive selection of bladed car fuses in multi-piece sets from our own brands, Kennedy® and Senator®.

What are car fuses?

In general, fuses are designed to protect wiring against overcurrent and short-circuiting. This is no different from car fuses, which contain thin wire prongs that will melt if the current passing through them is too strong. The melted wire breaks the electrical circuit and prevents the current from damaging other electrics in the car.

Why buy car fuses?

A car fuse is economical and easy to replace. That can't be said of other vehicle electronics that could sustain damage beyond repair if not for the humble little fuse.

Car fuse types

Most car fuses are blade style and are broken down into six size-types...

• Regular car blade fuse   -   These are the standard sized fuses and are one of the largest on this list.

• Low profile mini blade fuse   -   The 'low-profile' in the name refers to the blades, which don't extend beyond the body of the fuse. This allows for space-saving, but still delivers a similar performance to the mini fuse.

• Mini blade fuse   -   One of the most commonly used, the mini blade fuse features the same pin spacing as the low-profile mini fuse with a smaller body.

• Micro2™ blade fuse   -   Designed to save space and increase the amount of circuit protection, this fuse type is regularly utilised in modern vehicles.

• Micro3™ blade fuse   -   The smallest fuse on this list, this blade type fuse offers similar protection to the Micro2™ fuse.

• Maxi blade fuse   -   The largest fuse on this list, the maxi-fuse offers standard circuit protection.

Considerations when choosing a car fuse

• Amperage - if replacing a fuse like for like, each one is colour-coded and has its amperage marked in the corner.

• Size - if unsure on which size to choose, look at the circuitry diagram in the car or look at the vehicle's corresponding Haines manual for more guidance.

Car fuse jargon buster

When committing to a purchase, it's important to know that you're spending money on a quality product. So, to help you to understand our range better, we've outlined an applicable quality standard for car fuses...

What does BS ISO 8820:2020 mean?

This multiple-part standard covers each type of blade-style fuse and specifies the international test requirements for fuse links.

Let's break it down...

• BS - This is an abbreviation for the British Standards Institute which ensures this standard is properly incorporated into British law.

• ISO - This abbreviation highlights the involvement of the International Organization for Standardization in publishing and maintaining this standard.

• 8820 - This is the legislation number.

• Part 10 - This covers blade-style, type L (high-current miniature) fuse-link testing.

• Part 11 - This covers blade-style, type M (medium-high current) fuse-link testing.

• Part 12 - This covers blade-style, type N (sub-miniature) fuse-link testing.

• Part 13 - This covers blade-style, type P (sub-miniature, three tabs) fuse-link testing.

• 2020 - This standard was reviewed and published in February 2020.

FAQs

How do I know if I have a blown fuse?

A blown car fuse is easy to identify by sight as the wire blades will be melted and misshapen. If you're still unsure, use a test light which will glow if the fuse is still conducting electrical current.

Will a blown fuse drain my car battery?

No, once a fuse is blown, the main consequence is that the electric component it was protecting will no longer work. For example, a headlight won't turn on or the indicator won't function.