A few tips needed

[bigpapanoodle]

I am making up a switch plinth for my classic car. The components will be as follows: a clock, an auxillary socket (for charging of mobile phone or lighting a cigarette even), a reversing switch, a map light switch. Will I need to individually fuse every component? Is it OK to splice all the earth wires into a single connection?

 

[Edtwozeronine]

If you're running all the circuits from from the cars fuse box then they will probably need a fuse to work, yes...

Much like in a house, you wouldn't want one fuse to take out more than one circuit if it blew.

 

[DPG]

I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.

 

[ruston]

As regards the socket . The traditional cigarette lighter was fused at 15 amps if my memory serves. The rest as @DPG, would be fine.

 

[bigpapanoodle]

I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.

Considering that I will have several items on the switch panel I guess that could apply to the earth cables also? Gathering ALL the earth wires into a single cable and then to earth?
On the subject of fuses, if an instrument such as the clock calls for a 3 amp fuse and all I have is 2 amp, will that give extra protection or just continuously blow?

 

[DPG]

A lower fuse may well rupture under normal use, it depends how much the clock actually takes. I would use the correct part for what it will cost.

I would probably share the earth, but make sure it is if decent thickness, and securely bolted to earth.

 

[bigpapanoodle]

I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.

So I could gather the cables for the clock (3 amp) and the map light (3 amp) and run them through a 3 amp fuse? I am planning on lighting the auxiliary plug and clock from the sidelight switch (1.2W bulbs) Should I fuse them also?

 

[DPG]

So I could gather the cables for the clock (3 amp) and the map light (3 amp) and run them through a 3 amp fuse? I am planning on lighting the auxiliary plug and clock from the sidelight switch (1.2W bulbs) Should I fuse them also?

It depends how much those items actually take. Use a multimeter to measure the current consumption of each item. Then add it up and allow a bit of headroom. This will give you an approximate fuse size.