4amp bilge 3amp switch

[cstallings]

I just realized that my bilge pump requires a 4amp fuse, but my switch is only rated for 3amps. The bilge is the last thing I want to mess up when I need it. I assume I need to replace with a larger capacity switch?

Thanks

 

[Bugpac]

your switch should be rated to operate at 3 amps, the bilge should draw 3 amps, if you put a 3 amp fuse in it would blow everytime the bilge came on, the 1 amp is for this reason.

 

[cstallings]

makes sense. Thanks

 

[linehand]

Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Bob Landry]

Me neither. If the pump is stated to draw three amps, then the wire should be sized to handle 5 amps of current to prevent overheating of the wire and protected accordingly with a five amp fuse. The last bilge pump I installed called for a 5A fuse. You can't go with smaller wire, but you can go larger as long as it isn't over-fused. Actually, slightly larger wire would be better because it would handle the same current more efficiently with less heat and voltage drop to the pump.

 

[Bugpac]

were not talking wire, were talking switch. switch is rated at 3 amps, Im guessing the bilge draws 3 amps, no reason the switch will not work, you cant fuse it 3 amps, cause it will blow every time.