Should Fuse or Circuit Breaker Be Used When Installing Trailer Brake Controller

Published 10/15/2019

Products Featured in This Question

30 amp. In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

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$7.35

Question:

The installer used 2 15 amp fuses instead of circuit breakers when hooking up Primus IQ brake controller. The trailer is a T@B 320 weighing about 1900 lbs with brakes and my vehicle is a 2015 Volvo XC 60 Turbo 6 300 hp awd. He stated it would be OK. Do you agree?

asked by: Chuck S

Expert Reply:

I would not recommend using fuses instead of a circuit breaker when installing a brake controller like the Primus IQ # TK90160. While it does protect the circuit it also totally kills the circuit till the fuse is replaced. A breaker will reset eventually which will lower the risk of you being without trailer brakes when towing in the event of a short.

I'd strongly recommend you replace the fuses with a 30 amp breaker like part # 38630.

expert reply by: Jameson C