I am currently converting my Bongo into a weekend camper and am fiddling with interior lighting etc. I am of the mind to use 17.5 amp cable to alter my interior lights but when I look at the existing cable it is very thin, certainly less than 10amp. Also in order to match the existing cable colours the only rating I can find is 8.5amp which I think is sufficient. However, fuse 1 which protects the interior lighting is rated at 10 amps. This is obviously correct as it is common on all cars. I am wondering why it is that the fuse size is of a higher rating than the cable it protects?
Cheers
Cable Rating
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
-
gmcnaugh
-
cliveybaby
-
grumpo
Vehicle cables generally use a much thinner and much tougher
insulation than standard electrical cables, and can appear to be
less capable of carrying the same current. If you measure the
total area of the conductors fitted by the manufacturers I'm
sure you will find they are more than adequate for the purpose.
-
pippin
They also seem to use annealed copper, which I assume to be capable of carrying more current than soft copper?
I am constantly surprised at the thinness some of the wires used in the Bongo.
Remember that you are not just concerned with current-carrying capability. You have to consider the voltage drop across the cable.
Big load, thin cable = less volts at the appliance.
I am constantly surprised at the thinness some of the wires used in the Bongo.
Remember that you are not just concerned with current-carrying capability. You have to consider the voltage drop across the cable.
Big load, thin cable = less volts at the appliance.
-
grumpo
Interestingly, annealed copper is very slightly less conductive than
soft copper, annealed copper is used in automotive applications to
increase the strength and resist the vibrations that may cause the
conductors to break.
Copper clad steel cables are often used for low current control
signal cables in automotive harnesses because an appropriately
sized copper conductor would be too thin and lack the necessary
strength. Copper clad steel cables are stronger and cheaper than
an equivelent sized copper cable. You should not use this type
of cable for applications which require heavier currents even
though it may appear to be big enough.
soft copper, annealed copper is used in automotive applications to
increase the strength and resist the vibrations that may cause the
conductors to break.
Copper clad steel cables are often used for low current control
signal cables in automotive harnesses because an appropriately
sized copper conductor would be too thin and lack the necessary
strength. Copper clad steel cables are stronger and cheaper than
an equivelent sized copper cable. You should not use this type
of cable for applications which require heavier currents even
though it may appear to be big enough.