Circuit Protection - Circuit Breakers; Circuit Protection - Fusible Links; Repairing Damaged Wire Insulation; Splicing Copper Wire Using Splice Clips - GMC Chevrolet Camaro 1998 Service Manual

8-302 Wiring Systems
Fuse Types
Current Rating Amperes Color
Auto Fuses, Mini Fuses
2
Gray
3 Violet
5
Tan
7.5
Brown
10
Red
15
Blue
20
Yellow
25
White or Natural
30
Green
Maxi Fuses
'
20
Yellow
30 Light Green
40
Orange or Amber
60
Blue
50
Red
Circuit Protection - Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is a proteci,ve device that is designed
to open the circuit when a current load is in excess
of the rated breaker capacity. If there is a short
or other type of overload condition in the circuit, the
excessive current will open the circuit between
the circuit breaker terminals. Two types of circuit
breakers are used.
Circuit Breaker: This type opens when excessive
current passes through it for a period of time. It closes
again after a few seconds, and if the cause of the
high current is still present, it will open again.
The circuit breaker will continue to cycle open and
closed until the condition causing the high current
is removed.
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Circuit
Breaker: This type greatly increases its resistance
when excessive current passes through it. The
excessive current heats the PTC device, as the device
heats its resistance increases. Eventually the
resistance gets so high that the circuit is effectively
open. Unlike the ordinary circuit breaker the PTC unit
will not reset until the circuit is opened, by removing
the voltage from its terminals. Once the voltage
is removed the circuit breaker will re-close within
a second or two.
Circuit Protection - Fusible Links
Fusible link is wire designed to melt and break
continuity when excessive current is applied. It is often
located between or near the battery and starter or
electrical center. Use a continuity tester or a J 39200
DMM at each end of the wire containing the fusible
link in order to determine if it is broken. If broken,
it must be replaced with fusible link of the
same gage size.
Body and Accessories
Repairing a Fusible Link
Important: Fusible links cut longer than 225 mm
(approx. 9 inches) will not provide sufficient overload
protection. (
Refer to Splicing Copper Wire Using Splice Clips.
Repairing Damaged Wire Insulation
If the conductive portion of the wire is not damaged,
locate the problem and apply tape around the
wire. If the damage is more extensive, replace the
faulty segment of the wire. Refer to
Splicing Copper
Wire Using Splice Clips and follow the instruction
to repair the wire.
Wire Size Conversion Table
Metric Wire Sizes (mm 2) AWG Sizes
. 0.22
24
0.35 22
0.5
20
0.8 18
1.0 16
2.0 14
3.0 12
5.0
10
8.0
8
13.0 6
19.0 4
32.0 2
50.0
1/0
Splicing Copper Wire Using Splice Clips
Tools Required
J
38125-8 Terminal Repair Kit
1. Open the harness.
• If the harness is taped, remove the tape.
• To avoid wiring insulation damage, use
a sewing ripper in order to cut open the
harness.
• If the harness has a black plastic conduit, pull
out the desired wire.
2. Cut the wire.
• Cut as little wire off the harness as possible.
• Ensure that each splice is at least 40 mm
(1.5 in) away from other splices, harness
branches and connectors. This helps prevent
moisture from bridging adjacent splices
and causing damage.
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