Thread: 5 Amp Fuses for Analog Breakout & Solenoid Breakout
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Unread 10-12-2008, 11:30
Russ Beavis Russ Beavis is offline
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Re: 5 Amp Fuses for Analog Breakout & Solenoid Breakout
20A breakers are fine but unnecessarily large. The Digital Sidecar and Analog Breakout cannot supply more than a few amperes hence the typical breaker size of 5A shown in the datasheet. If you fully utilize the Solenoid Breakout, you'll want to consider using a 10A breaker to power that module (8 channels at 0.75A each).

Please heed the disclaimer in the datasheets regarding FIRST rules taking precedence. Some of the details shown may conflict with the official rules.

When wiring, you always need to match the wire size to the breaker size (and preferably to match the load as well). If you can find and use a 5A breaker, you'll be able to use a smaller diameter wire per the datasheet. With a 20A breaker (the smallest provided in past kits), you need to use 18AWG or larger diameter wire.

Go ahead and use a 20A breaker for now. Depending on the 2009 robot rules, you may be forced to use a specific breaker. Or you may be allowed to pick and choose to suit your needs. We'll see soon...

Russ