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<blockquote data-quote="audioholic" data-source="post: 8726431" data-attributes="member: 549629">When sizing fuses the length of the wire has to be considered along with the wire gauge. This is why fused distro blocks are usually worthless, and even slightly detrimental. If you size your fuse correctly for the longer run from the batt to the rear of the vehicle (and the distro block), that fuse size will still protect the smaller gauge wire you distro&#039;d down to, assuming that rear run is a short length (usually). At that point, adding an additional fuse at the distro block, just because a person might think a smaller gauge wire always needs a smaller fuse, is only additional resistance in the circuit.As for circuit breakers, keep in mind they are relying on physical resistance to set their fail point. Unlike fuses, if a circuit breaker is used in a harsh environment that causes corrosion, it will alter the trip point. I&#039;ve seen circuit breakers that were corroded solid, completely eliminating their purpose as a safety feature. So under-hood installations should always be a fuse, and only use circuit breakers in controlled environments like a vehicle&#039;s trunk or passenger compartment.[URL unfurl=&quot;true&quot;]https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/electrical-system/wire-gauge-chart-for-car-audio-systems/[/URL]</blockquote>

[QUOTE="audioholic, post: 8726431, member: 549629"] When sizing fuses the length of the wire has to be considered along with the wire gauge. This is why fused distro blocks are usually worthless, and even slightly detrimental. If you size your fuse correctly for the longer run from the batt to the rear of the vehicle (and the distro block), that fuse size will still protect the smaller gauge wire you distro'd down to, assuming that rear run is a short length (usually). At that point, adding an additional fuse at the distro block, just because a person might think a smaller gauge wire always needs a smaller fuse, is only additional resistance in the circuit. As for circuit breakers, keep in mind they are relying on physical resistance to set their fail point. Unlike fuses, if a circuit breaker is used in a harsh environment that causes corrosion, it will alter the trip point. I've seen circuit breakers that were corroded solid, completely eliminating their purpose as a safety feature. So under-hood installations should always be a fuse, and only use circuit breakers in controlled environments like a vehicle's trunk or passenger compartment. [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/electrical-system/wire-gauge-chart-for-car-audio-systems/[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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