Need info on wire size/gauges for accent lights

Good afternoon, I have read a few threads on installing LEDs in the glove box, center console, footwells, and cup holder areas and am going to do this for my truck as well.

The how-to's talk about using an inline fuse and one of the installs uses a mini blade inline fuse holder (Center Console/ Glove Box Light (auto on/off when opened)). The wire on the fuse holder is 12GA and the rest of the wires are 18GA. Is the fuse holder going to be able to work if a short circuit comes in or will the fuse holder wire create a lot of resistance for the electricity running through the wires? I think since there are a few wires running to the inline fuse that it might be ok but I don't want to falsely think that everything is working fine only to have an issue down the road. I tried looking for an inline fuse holder for 12VDC with 18GA wire while I was at Radio Shack but didn't see any. Do any of you wiring/electrical experts have any info to help me buy the right things?

 

The size of the wire for the in-line fuse is not that big of a deal. What matters is the size of the fuse in the holder. Always pick a fuse sized to protect the smallest gauge wire. Note: wire gauge is numbered backwards...a 12 gauge wire is bigger than an 18 gauge wire and can therefore handle more current. Therefore, pick a fuse to protect the 18 gauge wire.

Check out my electrical basics thread (link in my signature).