Can I Plug A 15AMP Fuse Where It Requires A 20AMP Fuse?

[Kenji4861]

My amplifier in the car died from the power cable coming off and on. Well I suspect the fuse. The fuse that was on there is a 20AMP fuse. Is it okay to plug a 15AMP fuse to replace it? What are some dangers?

 

[T2T III]

You can use a 15 AMP fuse to get you by - until you're able to purchase a 20 AMP fuse. The only issue with running a 15 AMP fuse is that it'll have less tolerance (e.g. - if you start pushing your amplifier, it could blow faster than a 20 amp fuse.) However, this is a good thing. You don't want to put a fuse in with a higher amp rating (e.g. 25 or 30) because it would be less tolerant to blowing. When a higher amp fuse is used (and takes longer to blow), you could put your equipment in danger.

Use the 15 AMP to get you by until you can pick up a 20 AMP fuse.

 

[Heisenberg]

It's always safe to replace a larger fuse with a smaller one. It might blow sooner, but that's fine. Never replace a smaller fuse with a larger one, though.

Edit: Blast - beaten to it.

 

[Eli]

lol... what they said.

 

[Kenji4861]

Thanks! Learned something new today.