Starter’s Guide For Fuse Replacement

If your power goes out however you notice that your neighbors have their power on then probably you have a blown fuse. But before performing fuse replacement, you have first to know where your fuse box is located. Older homes have fuse boxes instead of circuit breakers. Unlike circuit breaker which only needs to be reset whenever it trips, fuse should be replaced with a new one. If you have never done fuse replacement before, you should not be afraid in doing so. But first you must know some basic information about a device called fuse.
A fuse is a type of electrical safety devices that automatically blows in order to prevent system overloads. It has an important part which is a metal wire or strip that melts whenever there is too much current flowing that interrupts the circuit in which it is connected. The fuse blows whenever there is short circuit, overload or device failure. Fuse works by interrupting excessive current by way of destroying itself so that further damage by overheating or fire can be avoided.
A fuse balances the electrical current that passes between the power source and the electrical appliances. This device can protect your house as well as your electrical equipment from fire and damage. There are two kinds of fuse namely the plug fuse and the cartridge fuse. A plug fuse is made to be screwed into a socket found in the electrical panel box. The outside rim is made of metal and the body is made from porcelain, glass or high temperate plastic. While a cartridge fuse is usually cylindrical in shape that has metal caps at both ends which serves as contact points.
In order to safely replace a blown fuse, you have to first unplug the electrical equipment that caused the fuse to blow. Go to your basement or the place in your house where the fuse box is located. You have to make sure that your hands are completely dry and the floor as well. Bring a flashlight or emergency light in case if it is dark. Pull down the switch to turn off the main power source. Next is to check which fuse has blown. For a plug fuse, look into a window. It would appear to be cloudy, gray or scorched. For cartridge fuse, you need tester to check if it has blown.
Unscrew the blown plug fuse in a counter-clockwise direction, touching only the rim. Fuse puller should be used in replacing cartridge fuse. Damage or rust on the sockets needs the services of an electrician. Do not attempt to replace the fuse unless the fuse box has been cleaned. Attach the new fuse until it is secure and make sure the new one has the correct current rating as the blown fuse. Do not use higher rating of fuse because it can be a fire hazard. Turn on the main power source and close the panel box. Dispose the blown fuse properly.