Collection: Old Fuses (Steatite)

The steatite fuse: the unobtainable part for vehicles before 1960

Before the adoption of the cylindrical glass fuse, French and European automobiles used fuses with bodies made of steatite (ceramic) or porcelain. These parts, characterized by their "torpedo" (elongated spindle) shape or their off-white matte body, are now extremely rare outside of specialists.

Affected vehicles: Citroën Traction Avant, first generation Citroën 2CV, Renault 4CV and Dauphine, Simca Aronde, Peugeot 203 and 403, as well as many industrial vehicles and agricultural tractors from before 1960. The ceramic body offers high heat resistance and remains unbreakable — the amperage is engraved directly on the body.

A fuse unobtainable elsewhere: why source it from a specialist

Large automotive retailers (Norauto, Feu Vert, etc.) only stock ATO blade fuses (standard since 1980) and sometimes a few glass fuses. Steatite, ceramic, and torpedo fuses have been dropped from general public catalogs for decades — only specialists in antique electrical systems and suppliers dedicated to restoration still carry them.

Temptation to avoid: replacing a steatite fuse with a modern fuse almost always requires adapting the fuse holder (screws, contacts), which distorts the restoration. It is better to keep the original format — this also guarantees authenticity for the vehicle's value.

Choosing the right amperage

The same absolute rule as for all fuses: always replace with the value indicated in the period electrical diagram. Traction, 4CV, and 2CV diagrams are available from brand clubs or original repair manuals. Typical amperages for this era: 5A, 8A, 10A, 15A, 20A.