14 GA or 16 GA Fusible Link?
Now that's the easiest path to ground. So instead of power going from the alternator to the ignition, it diverts to ground.
That kills the ignition and field.
However as voltage drops below 13 Volts, the path is clear for the battery to take the same opportunity.
The 16 gage wire in the link should melt before the 12 gage wires, and hopefully before the connections get too fried.
That should end the spark show under the dash fairly quickly and before stuff under there catches fire.
That's the concept. So even if there is a 10 ga wire from the alternator to the mainsplice, no reason to go larger on the fusible link.
Some cars have multiple fusible links and those designs have different needs.
Lets say the headlight wire insulation got damaged and the car hit a bump such the bare wire touched the metal dash.
Now that's the easiest path to ground. So instead of power going from the alternator to the ignition, it diverts to ground.
That kills the ignition and field.
However as voltage drops below 13 Volts, the path is clear for the battery to take the same opportunity.
The 16 gage wire in the link should melt before the 12 gage wires, and hopefully before the connections get too fried.
That should end the spark show under the dash fairly quickly and before stuff under there catches fire.
That's the concept. So even if there is a 10 ga wire from the alternator to the mainsplice, no reason to go larger on the fusible link.
Some cars have multiple fusible links and those designs have different needs.
