Fuses & Fuse Boxes
About Fuses & Fuse Boxes
A fuse protects a circuit by melting before the wire overheats, and a fuse box or block holds the fuses and routes power to each circuit. Riders buy them to replace a blown fuse, to carry spares, or to add a fused feed for accessories.
Fuse type and rating are the choices. Listings here include the common blade types: ATO or ATC standard, ATM or mini, and maxi, in ratings such as 15, 20, 30 and 60 amps, along with AGC glass fuses, assortment packs, circuit breakers, a six-slot fuse panel and a fuse block for a Can-Am. The type must fit the holder, and the rating must match the circuit. Always replace a fuse with the same amp rating. A circuit breaker works like a fuse that can be reset, but follow the rating the maker specifies.
Brands in this category include Grote, Namz, Standard Motor Products, Custom Dynamics and S&S Cycle. Fuses work with Relays, and a battery that keeps going flat may point to Batteries. Switches are in Electrical & Ignition Sensors & Switches. The whole group is Electrical & Ignition Components.
FAQs on motorcycle fuses and fuse boxes
What do the numbers on a fuse mean?
The number is the amp rating, the maximum current the fuse allows before it melts. A 15 amp fuse protects a circuit designed for up to that current. Replace a fuse only with one of the same rating.
Can I fit a bigger fuse if mine keeps blowing?
No. A fuse that keeps blowing means something is wrong, such as a short, a pinched wire or an accessory drawing too much. A bigger fuse can let wires overheat. Find and fix the cause.
What is the difference between ATO, mini and maxi fuses?
They are different physical sizes of blade fuse. ATO and ATC are the standard size, ATM and mini are smaller, and maxi is larger and used for higher-current circuits. A fuse must fit its holder.
Can a circuit breaker replace a fuse?
It can in some circuits. A breaker trips and can be reset instead of melting. Use one with the rating your circuit calls for, and follow the maker's instructions for your model.
Why add a fuse block when installing accessories?
Each accessory circuit needs its own fuse near the power source so a fault cannot overheat the wiring. A fuse block gives you a clean place for those fuses and labels each circuit.
