The terms “Isolator”, “Power Distribution Module” and “Fuse Block” are often used interchangeably. And while these devices do share many common traits, they are in fact very different.

Similarities:

• Set up an electrical system that is separate from the bike’s electrical system.
• Have manual fuses or electronic circuit breakers to provide circuit protection.
• Receive power and ground from the battery.

Differences:

Isolators are used to keep aftermarket run, brake, and turn lights from overloading the bike’s light circuits or computers. This is especially important for 2018+ Gold Wings. Isolators have the following features:

• interface with the bike’s light control circuits.
• have physical or electronic relays
• switches circuits on and off
• may also have an Accessory (ACC)/Switch Power and/or Always Hot circuit too
• may have a single electronic circuit breaker for the entire device or individual manual fuses for each output circuit (Electrical Connection and Rivco do not have any circuit protection)

Examples: Pathfinder BBG8 and BBG9 (new), Show Chrome Isolator, Gold Strike Lighting Distribution Block, Rivco Isolator, Electrical Connection Isolator

Note: No isolator interfaces with the 2018+ CANBUS system. They interface with the light system. The CANBUS is used only by the bike’s computers to talk each other.

Power Distribution Modules (PDM)s are used to keep aftermarket accessories from overloading the bike’s electrical system. Accessories include heated gear, navigation systems (Garmin, ect), radios, cameras, radar detectors, phone chargers, etc. PDMs have the following features:

• provides constant power
• may have physical or electronic relays for ACC/Switched power
• may have a single circuit breaker for the entire device or individual manual fuses for each output circuit

Examples: Rowe Electronics AMPLINK and PDM60, Eastern Beaver PC-8R, Tusk Power Harness

Note: PDMs do not interface with the bike’s light control system.

Fuse Blocks are used to connect multiple aftermarket lights and/or accessories to the needed circuit and provide fused protection for each circuit. They often are used in tandem with isolators. Fuse Blocks have the following features:

• do not provide isolation for the bike’s lighting system
• do not switch lighting or ACC circuits on and off
• have individual manual fuses or electronic circuit breakers for each output circuit

Example: Electrical Connection EZ Lighting Distribution, Rivco 6 Circuit Fuse Block

Note: Most but not all isolators and all PDMs have the core fuse block function of connecting multiple aftermarket lights and/or accessories to the applicable circuit as well as having more features than Fuse Blocks.