My layout is wired into 6 blocks with one spur that is on a toggle switch to unpower it when not in use. I do use an inline 10 amp fuse for the output side of the TIU. If I lash engines together I could potentially have 5 engines powered up when I move an engine on or off the spur. If that exceeds the max amps for a TIU channel wired normally will it fry the TIU? I won’t even risk it if it can cause permanent damage.
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Scott,
As long as you have a fast-blow fuse in the Hot line between the transformer and the TIU's red input terminal for that channel, you should just blow the fuse if you exceed 10 amps.
Note that Barry said "fast blow", a slow fuse may allow you to cook a trace or FET in the TIU.
Out of curiosity, why is it that TIU's come equipped with 20 amp internal fuses?
If they had 10A fuses, they'd be blowing all the time. If a 20A surge comes along, it's designed so the fuse goes before the PCB traces or FETs. I suspect it doesn't always work that way. 
How are you powering the channel? A Lionel PH 180 only puts out 10 amps. The breaker on the power supply should throw first. If you use a PW ZW, you can pump more than 10 amps. In that case, you might want to run the TIU in passive mode, which is how a lot of G scale operations are set up.
George
Its very similar to crossing the streams on your proton packs
George,
A Lionel PH 180 only puts out 10 amps. The breaker on the power supply should throw first. If you use a PW ZW, you can pump more than 10 amps.
Most any worthwhile transformer can be forced to put out more than 10 amps under derailment situations. The PH 180, like most modern quality transformers, simply has an excellent breaker that will, typically , shut down the transformer before any damage can occur. If using a PH-180 (or similarly protected transformer), a fuse is typically not required.
In that case, you might want to run the TIU in passive mode, which is how a lot of G scale operations are set up.
Running in Passive TIU Mode has certain drawbacks, such as loss of the use of the TIU's variable channels in variable mode and loss of the E-Stop function.
My point was whether the OP was intentionally trying to run more than 10 amps through the TIU. A PW ZW 275 can put out 15 amps on one channel.
George
No, I’m not trying to intentionally put out more than 10 amps. I just figured in my rough estimates I’d be getting close to 10 amps. I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t do any damage.
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