Why Are Auto Resetting Circuit Breakers Included with the Universal Installation Kit Part # ETBC7

Updated 06/29/2018 | Published 06/27/2018

Question:

Is there any particular reason auto reset circuit breakers are supplied with this? Im concerned that if there is a short in the wiring, the breaker will cycle on and off until the car catches on fire or the battery goes dead. I installed this in a 2018 Subaru Outback and everything works. I just think maybe I should replace the breakers with manual reset.

asked by: Wayne

Helpful Expert Reply:

It it becoming increasingly popular to use an auto resetting circuit breaker in place of a fuse nowadays. The reason for this is that in the event of a short, the breaker will trip and stop the supply of power. When the circuit is fixed the breaker will reset and you will not need to replace it as opposed to a fuse which would need to be replaced once blown. This is the reason that our Universal Installation Kit part # ETBC7 comes with auto resetting circuit breakers though you could certainly swap them out for an in-line fuse should you choose to go that route.

The supply of power will be stopped if a short is detected so it will not drain your battery. Most brake controllers also have built-in safeguard to protect from this as well. There will be no benefit in safety from using a fuse over circuit breaker. If it were me I would leave the auto resetting circuit breakers in place as this is much newer technology than a standard fuse.

expert reply by: Conner L