| Re: [GMCnet] Is the main fuseable link wire made up of standard wire? ( It protects from overlosd fires ) [message #339993 is a reply to message #339959] |
Mon, 07 January 2019 12:44   |
GatsbysCruise
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2017
Location: Waukegan, Illinois
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I've seen this fuseable link in a few vehicles. Luckily, I have not had one fail.
That link is purposefully placed to protect the circuit from a BAD short circuit that would burn down the vehicle if it failed to wire only.
You should never see this fail under normal conditions.l
My understanding is the fuseable link is actually fusewire, not wire, that is protected with a insulation like cover that makes it look like
a regular wire. I believe the insulation is slight larger in diameter than the wires around it, but you really have to be looking for it to notice
it and even then you might over look it.
I have known mechanics that replaced failed fuseable links with a wire and an actual fuse. I don't know if this was because they are difficult to find or it was just easier to use wire and a fuse.
The Fuseable links I have seen were from 9 inches to 18 inches long. The down side is because this is fuse link material, that fault can be anywhere along the length of the fuseable link. And if the fuseable link failed, even if you could repair it, it would not be a good idea to reuse that same piece of fuseable link because the high current and temperature, which is what initially makes the link fail, can create weak spots along the fuseable link length. If it fails, it needs to be entirely replaced.
Not really sure why the manufacturers began using fuseable link other than the wiring harness design pretty much never meant to see a problem except in extreme emergencies, the type of problem that if you had this emergency, the car would be immobile anyway.
In short, it is considered a wire and attached as such but it is intent to prevent a very bad, very rare short circuit from becoming a major fire.
GatsbysCruise. \
74GMC260 Former Glacier Model style. \
Waukegan, Illinois \ Keep those MiniDiscs Spinning \ MY GREYHOUND IS FASTER THAN YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT \ WindowsXP-Win7-Win8.1-UBUNTU STUDIO - UBUNTU VOYAGER - Berzin Auto Center
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