Connections.

[VO5]

In any 12 volt application, what is the correct order of connection ?

Battery - switch - fuse - application ?
or
Battery - fuse - switch - application ?

Which one is correct, and why please ?

 

[pappaecho]

If the switch is a 1,2 all off type switch, the fuse between it and the battery would kill all circuits. If each output circuit is fused then only the fuse on that circuit would deactivate, leaving the other circuit working

 

[VO5]

No, it is an on /off switch.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

If it isnt a 1-2-all switch, then put the fuse before the switch as that way you are also protecting against the switch being overloaded through a short, assuming you have a supply to just that switch (otherwise the fuse would be too large for the switched side). Remember that the fuse must be rated for the weakest component in the circuit including the wiring!

 

[ProDave]

Battery - fuse - MAIN switch - individual circuit 1 fuse - individual circuit 1 switch - individual circuit 1
                               individual circuit 2 fuse - individual circuit 2 switch - individual circuit 2

 

[pvb]

People often forget that the purpose of a fuse is to protect the wiring, so that in the event of a short circuit the wire won't overheat and potentially start a fire.

As a result, fuses should be at the battery end of each section of wiring. Logically, there should be a big fuse next to the battery, protecting the big cable to the switchboard. Then smaller fuses at the switchboard protecting the thinner wires to individual circuits.