In cars, fuses act as a safety feature that protects electronic components from exploding due to a power surge in the system. A fuse is usually two terminals with a small metal strip running through them; the metal strip is cut each time there is a power surge, preventing damage to the key component.
Cars have various electrical and electronic devices and various fuses to protect these components from damage when there is a power surge. These fuses have different amperages. We have 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc. Here we will answer the question, what does a blown 60 amp fuse look like? By the end of this article, you’ll be able to tell when a 60 amp fuse has blown just by looking at it.
What is a 60 amp fuse used for?
As explained above, automotive fuses are a set of fuses that are used to protect electrical and electronic components from power surges. These fuses are rated for circuits with no more than 32 volts.
60 amp fuses are usually found in fuse boxes in the cab or under the hood. The fuse box contains various fuses that control different electrical circuits. The fuse box cover has a diagram indicating what each fuse protects. This is what 60 amp fuses in cars protect;
starter circuit
Typically 60 amp fuses protect the starting circuit, which protects the starter. The starter motor is a crucial component of the ignition system that starts the engine when the driver turns the ignition key.
alternator circuit
A 60-amp fuse protects the alternator circuit, ensuring the vehicle runs on proper electrical voltage.
Electric windows
Most car manufacturers protect power windows with a 60-amp fuse to prevent damage when there is a power surge in the vehicle.
electric seats
Power seats need high voltage to work smoothly. Because of this, most car manufacturers protect them against power surges with a 60 amp fuse.
air conditioner compressor
The AC compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. Compresses AC gas before exporting it to other components in the AC system. However, it requires a high electrical flow to carry out this function. Therefore, car manufacturers protect them with a 60 amp fuse against a power surge.
high beam headlights
Car high beams and low beams work on different circuits. High beams require a higher fuse rating, such as 60 amps, to protect against surges, since they use more electrical flow than low beams.
It would be unfair if I forget to mention that different cars use different electrical systems and therefore different fuses. This means that a Toyota Camry can use a 40-amp fuse for the high beams, while a Chevy Silverado uses a 60-amp fuse for the same high beams. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the fuse drawing or your owner’s manual to find out which component uses a 60 amp fuse in your vehicle.
How do you test a 60 amp fuse?
Although fuses blow and prevent electrical flow from going to a vital component every time there is a power surge, it does not necessarily mean that the fuse will blow when an electrical or electronic component is not working. Therefore, it is necessary to test the fuse before replacing it.
The best way to tell if a car fuse is blown is to test it with a multimeter, voltmeter, test light, or visual inspection. Let’s start by explaining how to tell if a square fuse is blown using a visual inspection.
Visual inspection
Visual inspection is mainly for blade type fuses: 25, 20, 15, 10, 7.5 and 5. But you can also perform visual inspection on cartridge type fuses: 40, 50, 60 and 75 amps. If you suspect your 60 amp fuse is blown, remove the fuse cover and inspect the port.
If the metal strip is broken or you notice dust or a burned substance, you probably have a blown fuse. However, if you are not convinced with the result, move on to the next method.
Using a test light
Every electrician should have a test light. It serves various electrical purposes. To check a 60 amp fuse with a test light, connect the wire to the negative battery cable and touch the other end of the positive battery cable. If the bulb in the tester lights up, you have a good connection.
Now, touch the screw end of the tester to both fuse ports. The tester should light up when you place it on both terminals of the fuse. If none or only one of them turn on the light, it means that the fuse is blown.
using a multimeter
You can get a multimeter from a friend or buy one at a local auto parts store or online. Connect the black and red probes. After that, place the probes against each other and see if the multimeter shows any reading. Record the readings projected on the screen. This will help you tell if the multimeter is working properly.
Place the red and black probes on the fuse terminals. Make sure they connect correctly to get accurate readings. You can swap the probes at the terminals and write down the readings.
After testing the fuse terminals, confirm whether the first reading matches the last readings. If the two readings differ, it shows you have a dead fuse that needs replacing. For example, if the first reading, when you touch both probes, is 2, and the last reading, when you test the fuse port, is 0, the fuse is blown. But if you have the same readings, the fuse is still good.
Follow the visual inspection and test light method if you are asking how to tell which fuse is internally blown. They are usually the same. The only difference is that the test light focus needs battery power when testing car fuses, while your house fuse needs a power source in the house.
What does a blown 60 amp fuse look like?
As explained above, fuses have two terminals with a small metal strip between the terminals. The terminals are made of copper and the small metal strip is made of zinc, alloy or aluminum. If the fuse blows due to an arc, high current, or overvoltage, the small metal strip will break, preventing electrical flow from reaching the vital component it is protecting.
A blown 60 amp fuse will look like a disconnected or broken strip between the two terminals if you perform a visual inspection. Whether you are asking what a blown 50 amp fuse looks like, what a blown 40 amp fuse looks like, or what a blown 30 amp fuse looks like, they look like a disconnected strip between the terminals.
By default, electrical current runs from the battery to one of the metal poles of the fuse and travels from the small metal strip to the other terminal. The second metal post transmits voltage to the vital component they are protecting via an electrical cable.
If there is an electrical arc, high voltage, or power surge, the small metal strip will break, preventing electrical voltage from traveling to the second metal post and the main component they are protecting.
Frequently Asked Questions – Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my 60 amp fuse is blown?
One of the common symptoms of a blown car main fuse is that the key component will stop working. In either case, other factors may prevent the critical component from working. So you have to check the fuse to know if something is wrong. As mentioned above, you can do this by visual inspection. Look at the fuse terminals inside the glass for a metallic or dark spot or a disconnected strip between the terminals. Any of these indicates that you have a blown fuse.
How can you tell if a fuse is blown without a tester?
To check a fuse without a test light, you can either visually inspect it or use a voltage or light bulb tester. The first step is to visually inspect the fuse to see if the metal strip is still connected. If you don’t agree with the visual test, retest it with a voltage tester or light bulb. If these testers glow, the fuse is fine, but you should replace it if it doesn’t.
Is a blown fuse evident?
A blown fuse is obvious because the metal strip that runs across the fuse terminals will have melted or broken due to the power surge in the system. A blown fuse will prevent the main guiding component from working until you replace it. You can identify a blown fuse using a test light, multimeter, or visual inspection.
to finish
It is normal for car fuses to blow. Its main purpose is to make a drop every time there is a power surge in the car’s electrical system, preventing the main component from being damaged. It can only be a problem when the fuse keeps blowing. If this is the case, you should contact a service technician for a full diagnosis and solution to the problem.
This article has answered the question: what does a blown 60 amp fuse look like? At this point you can easily tell when the 60 amp and other fuse amps are bad.
