Fuses serve as shields over every electronic component in cars when there’s a power surge or overcurrent in the electrical system. Fuses are typically two metal components with a tiny metal strip across them. The tiny metal strip across the two terminals melts or cuts when there’s a power surge, preventing the main component from getting damaged.
When an electrical or electronic component in your car stops working, the root cause is likely a blown fuse. Auto manufacturers equip fuses on cars to protect various electrical components. The manufacturers place these fuses in one of the two fuse boxes in a car. And these fuses are rated for 32 volts.
If you suspect you have a blown 15 amps fuse, you may be wondering what does a blown 15 amps fuse look like?
This article will outline what a blown fuse looks like, how to test it and answer other related questions. Grab a seat and a cup of coffee while I uncover what a blown 15 amps and other fuse amperages look like.
What is 15 amps fuse used for?
As explained earlier, fuses serve as protective shields for electrical components. In case of any electrical surge, they take the fall while your electronic or electrical component remains safe. But what component in your car uses a 15 amps fuse?
15 amps fuses are used for various purposes in cars. For instance, several auto manufacturers protect the transmission range sensor, the turn signal, brake lights, tail lights, dashboard lights, and car radio with 15 amps fuses. Also, the manufacturers provide a diagram on the fuse cover to tell us what each fuse is safeguarding.
Using the wrong fuse amperage where you’re supposed to use 15 amps fuse will cause issues. For example, using a 20 amp fuse where you are supposed to use 15 amps will not prevent the electrical component or electronics from working. However, the key component may damage when a power surge above what a 15 amps fuse can handle gets to. You know what this means. If the higher fuse amperage does not take the fall, the key component will be damaged.
How do you test a 15 amp fuse?
You can employ several methods to determine the condition of your fuse. There is the multimeter, tester, voltmeter, and even a test lamp test. Aside from physical verification, I most times use a test light, but you can choose whatever options you have available.
Method 1: Visual inspection
If you have a blown fuse, you’ll notice a break in the wire or dark residue in the glass. The metal strips inside the glass have probably melted and burnt, leaving a dark or metallic residue. You may also want to know how to identify a burnt but not blown fuse.
But, as I do, you can take it further by sniffing with your nose, especially if there are no physical signs of damage. Car fuses will give an electrical burning smell if they are burnt. You can use this physical inspection method to check blown fuse in the house.
Method 2: Testing a 15 amp fuse with a multimeter—continuity test
Get your multimeter and set it to continuity. After that, place the multimeter’s positive and negative leads together and listen for beeps. If it beeps, the multimeter is working. With the multimeter working, place the multimeter leads on both ends of the fuse. If you hear a continuous beep, it indicates the fuse is working fine. If there is no sound, then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
If you’re using a digital multimeter, you can also check if the fuse is blown by testing for resistance (ohms).
To do this; Set your multimeter to resistance. Next, place the multimeter leads together and note the readings. Now, place the leads at the fuse terminals. If the reading is close or similar to the initial reading, the fuse is ok. If there is no reading or the difference is much, then the fuse is blown.
It is important to note that you can use these methods to check other fuse amps. You can use them to test fuses rated 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 amps, and more.
They can also suffice for any type of fuse—household, cars, etc. So if you are wondering how to tell if fuse is blown in house, vehicle, or business place, explore the options I mentioned above. This can also be useful for those asking what does a blown tv fuse look like?
Method 3: Testing with a test light
Get a test light and ensure it is working properly. After that, connect the test lamp wire to the negative battery terminal and place the test lamp screw end on the fuse terminals. If both fuse terminals light up, the fuse is ok. If, however, one of the terminals does not light up, the fuse is blown. However, if none of the terminals lights up, it doesn’t mean the fuse is okay or bad. All you have to do is to turn on the ignition or start the vehicle and retest the fuse.
Method 4: Testing with a voltmeter
The last method is to use a voltmeter. Firstly, ensure the voltmeter is working properly. Next, connect the voltmeter probes on the fuse terminals. If it reads 0 volts, the fuse is working well. Suppose it reads the actual voltage; it means you have a blown fuse.
What does a blown 15 amp fuse look like?
A 15 amp fuse, like other fuses, gets blown for several reasons. It could be due to excessive load on the circuit, which invariably transfers excess current to the fuse causing the metal strip to melt. This shuts down the circuit, interrupting electricity flow.
So what does a blown 15 amp fuse look like? A blown 15 amp fuse looks like every other blown amp fuse. This should also answer those asking what does a blown 30 amp fuse look like? Or what does a blown 40a fuse look like? A blown fuse will look discolored, foggy, or cloudy—an indication that the metal strip (wire) inside the fuse has melted. A blown fuse will also have the metal strip separated.
If you have a blown fuse, replace it with a fuse of the same type, size, and amperage.
However, if your fuse keeps blowing out after replacement, it indicates that there may be other wiring problems that need to be addressed.
Final Words
A fast way to identify a blown 15 amp fuse is by knowing what a blown fuse looks like. However, you’ll no longer ask what does a blown 15 amp fuse look like? A blown 15 amps fuse looks discolored and foggy inside. It also looks as if there’s a powered substance inside it. This should also answer those asking: what does a blown 5 amp fuse look like, or what does a blown 10a fuse look like?
A blown fuse will look cloudy or foggy since the wires inside have melted due to high currents. Once detected, replace blown fuses with fuses of the same type, size, and amp rating.
