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What are Fuse Types, and How Do I Identify them? — BlackboxMyCar Canada Skip to content

What are Fuse Types, and How Do I Identify them?

How to identify fuse types for your vehicle

Unlocking parking mode through hardwiring

One of our non-negotiable features in a dash cam is parking mode which records what’s happening around your car even when it’s unattended. To activate this feature, the most popular option is hardwiring. Even if you’re running your dash cam on a battery pack, hardwiring allows for faster charging as it won’t be limited by the lower current of your vehicle’s power outlets.

When you hardwire the dash cam or battery pack, you connect it straight to your vehicle’s power source to keep the device running. This can be done safely and non-destructively in most vehicles by tapping into the fuse box - and one of the most essential accessories needed is a fuse tap.

We get a lot of questions about fuses and fuse taps all the time, especially when it comes to identifying which one you have. In this article, we will provide you with the information you need about the importance of fuse taps and how to distinguish different fuse types from one another to help you in your dash cam installation.

What are Fuse Taps?

Fuse taps, also known as Add-a-Fuse Kits/Holders, are helpful when installing dash cams in vehicles. They're a safe and simple way to connect aftermarket electronics to the vehicle's electrical system without requiring destructive modifications are complex wiring. If you're curious about how it works, fuse taps add a new circuit to your existing ones by "piggybacking" into an existing few slot.

When installing, just take the existing fuse out of the slot you want to use, place it into the bottom of the fuse tap, and insert the fuse tap into the slot. The existing circuit integrity is unaffected, and the fuse and function remain unchanged. The new circuit includes its own fuse, inserted into the top of the fuse tap, protecting your device and car from potential shorts o other issues.

What are the types of Fuse Taps?

Most vehicles today use blade fuses (also known as spade fuses or plug-in fuses), and there are five common types you'd typically find: Micro2 and Micro3, Mini, Low-profile Mini, and ATO. While these fuses all have plastic bodies and metal legs, they all look physically different. Simply take the fuse out, showing its legs, is plenty to be able to tell what type it is. This can be done easily with a fuse puller (typically found in one of the vehicle's fuse boxes) or a set of pliers. (Just don't lose the fuse!)

Blade fuses are colour-coded to indicate their amperage rating, and the amperage rating is also printed on top of the fuses. For instance, a 5-amp fuse is tan, a 10-amp fuse is red, a 15-amp fuse is blue, and so on. However, these colours may look off depending on the type of plastic used for the body (e.g. a 5-amp fuse with a transparent tan body may appear orange), so it's important to also check the printed rating.

Different types of fuse taps

Simply looking at your vehicle's fuse box, fuse diagram, or even your owner's manual is not sufficient to determine what fuse type(s) it uses.

Fuse types can vary depending on the make, model, ear, and even trim level of your vehicle, as vehicles may have different electrical configurations down to different equipment packages.

Now let’s differentiate between the five most common types of blade fuses.

1. Micro 2 Fuse

Micro2 fuses are most often found in newer Korean vehicles from manufacturers like Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia. They're known for their extremely compact footprint, allowing for more fuses to be packed into the same amount of space, which is beneficial for modern vehicles with numerous electrical components.

Shape and Size: Micro2 fuses have a narrow, flat, rectangular shape. They are approximately 15 mm tall and 9 mm wide. They have two thin, narrowly-spaced metal legs extending out from one side of the plastic body, which is where the fuse makes contact with the fuse box. 

2. Micro3 Fuse

While less common than the other four types of blade fuses, Micro3 fuses can be found in many modern American vehicles from manufacturers like Ford and General Motors, particularly their full-sized SUVs and pickup trucks. They're known for being the only type of blade fuse to have three legs rather than only two. This allows them to contain two fuse elements, offering increased circuit protection in a space-saving form factor.

Shape and Size: Micro3 fuses have a wide, flat, rectangular shape. They are approximately 18 mm tall and 14 mm wide. They have three thin, narrowly-spaced metal legs extending out from one side of the plastic body, which is where the fuse makes contact with the fuse box.

3. Mini Fuse

Mini fuses are one of the two most common type of blade fuses used in modern cars, SUVs, light trucks, and other vehicles. They're known for their compact size and high amperage rating.

Shape and Size: Mini fuses have a small, flat, rectangular shape. They are approximately 10 mm wide and 16 mm tall. They have too thin, widely–spaced metal legs extending out from one side of the plastic body, which is where the fuse makes contact with the fuse box.

4. Low-Profile Mini Fuse

Low-profile Mini fuses are the second most common type of blade fuses found in modern vehicles, which are shorter and wider compared to regular mini fuses. They are most commonly found in Japanese vehicles from manufacturers like Acura, Honda, Lexus, and Toyota, and are also used by some Western brands like Ford. This lower profile allows the fuse box to be more compact, taking up less space within the vehicle.

Shape and Size: Low-Profile Mini fuses have a small, flat, rectangular shape. They are approximately 10 mm wide and 9 mm tall. They have two stubby, widely spaced metal legs that sit nearly flush with the bottom of the plastic body, which is where the fuse makes contact with the fuse box.

5. ATO/ATC Fuse

In older vehicles, some modern European vehicles like Audis and Volkswagens, as well as many commercial vehicles, you might encounter ATO or ATC fuses. You can easily spot them by their distinctive size as they are the largest of all blade fuses. This allows them to pack significantly larger fuse elements and handle amperage ratings as high as 40A, which is important as European vehicles tend to be packed with electronics, while commercial vehicles often times have hired voltage electrical systems.

Shape and Size: ATO fuses have a large, flat, rectangular shape. They are approximately 19 mm wide and 18 mm tall. They have two broad, widely spaced metal legs extending out from one side of the plastic body, which is where the fuse makes contact with the fuse box.

Get the Essential Installation Kit

For everything you need to install a dash cam and battery pack yourself, consider getting our BlackboxMyCar Essential Installation Kit.

It contains everything you'll need to ensure your installation is a smooth one.

Essential BlackboxMyCar Install Package

$36.99

What if the fuse tap doesn’t fit?

In some cases, you may encounter fitment issues when using fuse taps, either with the fuses you're using or the vehicle itself. Here are the possible solutions if you ever encounter this

Double-check the fuse tap compatibility

Ensure that you have the correct type and size of fuse tap for your vehicle. Verify that the fuse tap matches the fuse type (micro2, micro3, mini, low-profile mini, ATO/ATC) and size specified for your car. Using an incompatible fuse tap can cause fitment problems. Holding your existing fuse, and your new fuse side by side will reveal any differences.

Try a different fuse slot

In some cases, certain fuse slots in the fuse box may have slightly different dimensions or configurations. Attempt to install it into a different suitable slot within the fuse box. Another fuse slot might provide a better fit for the fuse, allowing it to securely connect. Some vehicles such as BMWs and Fords use multiple fuse types, so ensure you are tapping into the proper location.

The fuse tap is the correct type, but still doesn’t fit

This can happen on some very particular vehicle models, and if standard fuse taps do not fit properly, then we need to alter the fuse taps. The most likely issue is that the plastic body of the fuse tap is a bit too thick. To resolve this, you can slowly and carefully sand the body down by hand until it fits. The same technique can be used to make fuses fit into certain fuse taps.

Watch your power requirements

Again, before you dive into the installation, make sure you know the power requirements of your dash cam or battery pack and choose a fuse that can handle it. Remember to match the fuse's capacity with the maximum capacity of the circuit & fuse you're using.

Overall, the best way to check your vehicle’s fuses is to take them out, and physically check them yourself. This is to ensure you don’t run into any issues during your installation or later down the road.

We offer installations too

Moreover, if you are uncertain about modifying or adapting fuses or fuse taps if necessary, or if you encounter persistent difficulties, we strongly advise seeking assistance from an auto electronics professional, dash cam installer, or dealership.

And, if you happen to be around the Richmond, BC area, our professional installers and technical team will be happy to assist you!