Fuse size for 24 ga wire

[Gsmith]

I purchased LED strip lights from Marinebeam to replace florescent fixtures, the new lights each draw .22 amps at brightest setting, fixtures came with 24 ga tinned wire leads. What is proper fuse size for these thin leads, I'm finding conflicting info.

Thanks

 

[centerline]

the boat wiring feeding the light should be fused for its size, and the light should be fused for its potential. a 1 or 2amp fast blow fuse is acceptable for the application....

 

[RoyS]

The leads are flimsy. Some bean counter in the factory with too much authority, no doubt. With leads that flimsy the most likely problems are the wires are difficult to splice and are prone to breakage if stretched. Wires, even this small, will still blow the fuse if shorted. Individual fixture lead wires are unlikely to become overloaded and should be safely enclosed in the light fixture enclosure anyway. Determine the maximum total load on the circuit and fuse (or circuit breaker) above that value but below the circuit wiring rating. If a five amp. circuit breaker (commonly available) will work and your circuit wiring is 18 AWG or better, I would go with that. It is impractical and unorthodox to fuse individual light fixtures.

 

[Gsmith]

No junction box in fixture meaning an external splice is necessary, these lights are very thin and compact. Cabin lighting circuit is wired with 16 ga and 20a breaker The fixtures are in middle of circuit with incandescent fixtures tapped in both up and downstream forcing a fuse larger than the leads can handle. Options are to use in-line fuse at each fixture or run new circuit from panel fused for three fixtures .

 

[Brian D]

I would think that if AWG24 wire rated at 3.5 ampacity, and knowing the total current draw of all the lights (.22 x total lights) that any fuse below 3.5 amps and more than the total current draw would be safe. JMHO