How to Connect a 14 Gauge Wire to a 20 Gauge Wire Using an In-Line Fuse

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By Nichole Liandi
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (1 Ratings)

Connecting wires of different gauges can be done in a variety of different ways. You can twist them together and tape them, twist them together and solder, or connect them together with a variety of different bullet-type connectors. But if you need a fuse in your electronics system, you can kill two birds with one stone by connecting the wires together through the medium of an inline fuse holder.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Fuse holder
Wire cutters/strippers
Screwdriver

Step 1

Unscrew the plastic covers on the ends of the fuse holder by turning them to the left. This exposes the screw terminals where you'll be connecting your wires.
Step 2

Strip about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of insulation from the ends of the wires you'll be attaching to the fuse holder. Slip the plastic covers you've removed from the fuse holder over the wires--one per wire, with the threaded end facing the end of the wire.
Step 3

Loosen the screw terminals of the fuse holder by turning them to the left with a screw driver.
Step 4

Slip the ends of the wires you've stripped underneath the screw terminals--one wire per terminal.
Step 5

Tighten the screw terminals to hold the wires in place. Slide the plastic covers down the wires and screw them back onto the fuse holder.

References

Comments

sh10151 said

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on 10/21/2009 While it's probably just a mistype, the title seems to imply you're connecting a larger, 14 gauge wire to a smaller 20 gauge wire that is the source of power. I'm guessing you did the other way around, but for others, it's also worth mentioning basic safety notes:

When using fuses, it is extremely important to understand the max value that a wire gauge can handle, and to get a fuse of that size or smaller to complete the job. For example:

http://www.bcae1.com/fuses.htm

Secondly, it is fine to tap a smaller, 20 gauge wire into a larger 14 gauge wire, but not the other way around. It is very important that the article mentions which way the power is going because:

A. You want to always avoid tapping larger gauges into smaller gauged wire. This implies the accessory receiving power needs that larger wire for a purpose. Feeding it from a smaller wire upstream means the smaller g...