Quote:
Originally Posted by TWJ
This is either going to show my brilliance or my ignorance with respect to electrical issues and probably the later but here goes...
Do fuses in the fuse boxes have a "flow" to them? In other words does the electricity flow in on one side (+) and out the other (-)?
If so does that mean that if I test the voltage at a fuse that should be live and there is no juice, is the problem "upstream" on the + side? OR could it be caused by a bad ground (or something) anywhere it the circuit?
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TWJ,
Fuses don't have control on the direction of the flow of current (electron) in the electrical circuit. They are simply a device to prevent over-loads. If you want to determine the flow or direction of the electrical current, do this simple test:
1). Locate a fuse terminal that has power. Use a test light instead of a multi-tester.
2). After you have located an active circuit, remove the fuse. Test both ends of the fuse holder to determine which one is
LIVE. The terminal that will test positive for voltage is the
INPUT side or source of power.
3). The current flow (electron or electricity) is from
INPUT to output (load side). The standard arrangement for a fuse block is one side is the INPUT and the other side is the load side (output).
Now that you have found the INPUT side, you could also determine if the input side is
hot all the time or controlled by a switch. Remember that not all INPUT terminals have power all the time.
If the INPUT terminal is tested positive for power, the other side should also have power unless:
a). Fuse is blown.
b). Poor or bad contact/s.
So in summary, you could check the presence of voltage (power) down the line. An open line (cut) will cause interruption in the current flow, so with a poor connection or bad contact. HTH.
Tony