A blown fuse? It can happen frequently and the most frustrating thing is that it always happens when you least expect it. What to do then? Go broke every time by calling an electrician or change it yourself? Follow the leader !
Why does the fuse blow…
Before getting down to the task of replacing the fuse itself, it is first of all essential to detect the source of the problem. You may not know it, but a blown fuse is never harmless and if it’s happened once, there’s a good chance it will happen again.
When a fuse blows, in the majority of cases, it is often due to a short circuit, caused by the household appliances, electronics and others, that you use. But it can also happen that it is one of your wall outlets that is faulty, thus causing short circuits during their use.
Unplug all appliances and carefully examine your wall outlets. You may notice a slight soot stain on one of them. As for your machines and gadgets, you will smell a burning smell on the device responsible for the short circuit.
On the other hand, a power surge can also blow a fuse. In this case, unplug the excess device(s) without further delay, to make sure that the fuse does not blow again, when you have just replaced it.
Change the fuse
First I start to identify the type of fuse to be replaced. Again, you have to be very careful about the risk of ending up with the wrong fuse. To make sure I have the right equipment, I take the faulty fuse to the local hardware store and buy the exact same model, with identical references. I also take this opportunity to take two or three others, in reserve, just in case?
Here I am finally ready to change the fuse. For my safety, I turn off the power through the main circuit breaker, then I look for the fuse to replace. Generally, the blown fuse should be easily identifiable since you just have to locate the one with a red pellet.
Otherwise, you can also test them one by one with a multimeter. Gently release the faulty fuse from its protective shell, then replace it with the new one. If you are in front of a fuse holder, you must remove the protective plate before accessing the fuse.