Blowing a fuse or tripping a fuse switch is easily done – especially if you’re one of those people that likes to multi-task with their electricals. We’re talking ironing while watching the TV, charging your phone and microwaving your lunch. Unfortunately, powering several electrical appliances at the same time can overload your circuits and cause a fuse to blow. The good news is a blown fuse is pretty easy to replace.
Sometimes you may find that a fuse has blown in the plug of an appliance, rather than in your fuse box. This is often caused by an electrical fault in an old or damaged device. Again, changing the fuse is relatively straightforward. We would, however, suggest getting a qualified electrician to take a look at your appliance. Faulty devices can be dangerous so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Our aim with this article is to first explain how fuses work – after all, it’s always good to know the basics. We’ll then provide a full rundown of how to change a fuse. So whether you are dealing with an old fashioned fuse box, a trip switch fuse box or a blown fuse in a plug, by the time you’re finished reading, you’ll know exactly what you need to do.
Please remember that electrics are dangerous. Although changing a fuse is a task you can do yourself at home, if you are not confident in your ability to do so or are concerned about faulty electrics, it’s always best to get in touch with a qualified electrician.
How does a fuse work?
A fuse is an important safety component that makes up part of an electric circuit. It is designed to interrupt and eliminate the flow of electric current if it’s voltage exceeds what the circuit can handle. Essentially, the fuse wire ‘blows’ by heating up and melting, creating a gap in the circuit and shutting off the electric.
You will know if a fuse has blown if your lights suddenly go out or your electrical appliances stop working. As we mentioned in the intro, it could be down to you plugging in too many appliances at one time (i.e. overloading your circuits) or a fault in the wiring of one of your devices. Either way, it can be a real inconvenience, so it’s good to know how to replace a blown fuse so you can solve the problem quickly and get on with your day.
Below, we’ve provided steps on how to repair a blown fuse in a trip switch fuse box, a traditional wire fuse box and an electrical plug.
Repairing a trip switch fuse box
Today most houses have a modern fuse box that uses trip switches, rather than carriers containing fuse wire. They are much more convenient to repair, as if you blow a fuse, it’s a case of flicking a switch back up, rather than replacing a fuse wire. Follow these simple steps:
- Turn off the lights and unplug the devices in the room that has lost power (you may be overloading your circuits or have a faulty device)
- Locate your fuse box – check your utility room or basement if you’re unsure
- Make sure you have dry hands and are standing on a dry surface
- Lift the cover and check the position of your fuse switches
- If any are pointing down, then they have tripped and need flicking back to the up position
- Your electric supply should now be back on
Keep in mind that if you overload your circuits (either by using all of the sockets in an extension lead or plugging in too many devices in a single room) your switch is likely to trip again. If it appears to be one appliance tripping the switch (you’ll know if you plug it in and the power goes off) then you’ll need to unplug it, reset your switch and get the device looked at by a qualified electrician. Don’t keep using the appliance as it’ll keep tripping your fuse switch and could be a potential hazard.
If this does not fix the problem, there may be a fault with the fuse box itself. This will need to be examined and repaired by an electrician. If the issue is terminal, you will need to speak to them about fuse box replacement cost and installation.
