Most modern houses are equipped with the latest fuse boxes or circuit breakers that can be repaired easily. However, some homes still have a traditional fuse box that needs to be changed if it blows. How do you do that? We’ll see that in this article, but let’s answer an important question first.

Why Do You Need an Electric Fuse?

A fuse is a crucial electric safety component present in the fuse box. It automatically turns off power to a circuit when an electrical problem arises to prevent further damage. They contain metal filaments that burn when the fuse blows. If your fuse blows, you will have to change the fuse in a fuse box.

3 Reasons Why a Fuse Could Blow

    1. Overloaded circuit

      If a circuit carries a bigger electrical load than it can, it will be overloaded. An overloaded circuit occurs when you try to operate too many appliances or turn on too many lights simultaneously. One of the biggest culprits of circuit overloading is the extension leads. They tend to heat up quickly if too many appliances are connected to them, resulting in the fuse blowing up if they heat too much.The fuse size at your home is matched to the load capacity. An excessive load will blow the fuse. If the fuse blows too often, it indicates that your electrical needs are too much for your circuit. In such cases, move a few appliances to other circuits or hire an electrician to upgrade your circuitry.

    2. Faulty appliances

      Even if the wiring of one appliance is faulty or has a loose connection, it can blow the fuse box. Check for faulty appliances and replace them immediately. If you aren’t sure which appliance is causing the fuse to blow, call a qualified electrician.

    3. Short circuit

      A short circuit occurs when the wires carrying an electrical current touch each other or any other current-carrying component. An electrical short circuit, which can lead to the fuse blowing, can be dangerous and can harm equipment and human life. It can be caused due to numerous factors like loose connections, bad insulation, or wires chewed up by rodents. Don’t try to fix these by yourself; instead, bring in an expert.

6 Step to Fix a Fuse in a Fuse Box

    1. Turn off all the lights and unplug appliances in the part of your home which has lost power. This will make sure that the new replacement fuse doesn’t get overloaded. Follow common electrical safety practices like ensuring your hands are dry, wearing rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes. Safety eyewear is also essential.
    2. Turn off the main power switch. This will disconnect power to the fuse box and keep you safe.
    3. Next, locate the blown fuse. You can identify a blown fuse by looking for a discolored or cloudy fuse or a broken or melted metal piece inside the fuse box. You can check the circuit box labelling if that helps.
    4. With the main power still off, unscrew the blown fuse and remove it. Remember, you must only replace the fuse with a new fuse of the same amperage, size, rating, and type. Attempting to replace with a higher amperage can be dangerous and can cause serious damage to the panel wiring.
    5. Screw the new fuse into the same electrical panel socket.
    6. Restore the main power to the electrical panel.

Once the new fuse has been set, restore the main power to the electrical panel. If it’s working fine, plug in some appliances and ensure the connection is stable. If the fuse blows again, it’s time to call an electrician for an inspection.

Remember that changing a fuse or identifying the cause of a blown fuse can be dangerous. If you do not know what you are doing, do not hesitate to bring in a professional electrician.

Parting Words

We, at D&F Liquidators, have been serving the electrical material needs of our clients for almost 3 decades. If you are looking for any electrical material to fix a fuse or want to call a professional, get in touch with us.