DIY Tips: #3 Repair a fuse in a traditional fusebox

In a traditional fuse box, each fuse is for a different electrical circuit in your home. If there is a 
power surge or faulty wiring the fuse will 'blow', your home will suddenly be enveloped in a
strange and eerie silence and you will then need to replace the fusewire within the cartridge – 
and don't forget to also check any appliance which may have caused the fuse to blow in the
first place.


You will needA Torch – hopefully this has fully charged batteries
A flat bladed electrical screwdriver
A pack of variously rated fusewires
A pair of wire cutters or pliers or snips


Check other electrical appliances

When an electrical circuit 'blows' you should really check any appliances in that particular 
circuit. It could be that a fuse has blown in a plug, and that, in turn has blown the circuit fuse. 
Unplug the appliances and test them in an area of your home that still has power. You don't 
want to repair the circuit fuse only to have it blow again due to a faulty appliance.


Locate the fuse boxYour fuse box should be located close to your electricity meter – both of these are usually in the most inaccessible part of the under-stairs cupboard (get your torch to help you – they are useful not only for seeing in the dark but also for poking in spider inhabited corners. TIP:If you find the fusebox and it is buried under hats and coats and old shopping bags – please remember to 
keep it clear of clutter in the future as it could be a fire risk and meter readers may get narked if they have to clear the way each reading.


Turn the Master Switch offNormally when a fuse blows it is automatically thrown into the off position, but make sure, just in case. TIP You should be aware that when you turn this switch off – everything in the home will 
be turned off including all clocks, VCR's, 8-track tape players, washing machines, bread-makers, electric ovens, central heating timers, computers, phone chargers – EVERYTHING. If you 
have a house alarm this may start to complain and will let you know by beeping or buzzing but 
don't worry as this will be happy again once you finish the job and turn the power back on.


Locate the blown fuseIf there's more than one fuse, remove them one by one and inspect the thin fuse wire to see if it's broken or not. They may be a bit stiff but give them a good yank and they'll pull out of the fusebox – a good TIP here is Do not be tempted to pull them all out at the same time – pull one, check it and put it back. This way you will not be left with a handful of fuse cartridges and not know which positions they came from.


Select fuse wireYou must replace the fuse wire with a fuse wire of the same amperage. 

As a general rule these circuits require the following amperage ratings
Light circuits run on 5 Amps
Immersion heater circuits run on 15-20 Amps
Wall socket and cooker circuits run on 30 Amps
Electric showers will run on 45 greater amps (check the shower instructions)



WARNING - Never replace a fuse wire with one of a higher amperage rating. This could risk 

damage to your appliances or even cause a fire. 

Replace the fuse wireLoosen the screws at either end of the fuse.
Remove the damaged remains of the old fuse wire and carefully thread the new wire through
 the central porcelain part of the fuse.

Wind the wire around each screw, and tighten the screws.
Make sure you snip off any excess wire with the pliers or snips.


Replace the fusePut the fuse back in the fuse box – in the position it came from.


Turn on the master switch

TIP If you have a teenager in the house, you could get them to do this bit – it makes them feel 

useful and if the fuse blows again immediately, it will wake them up.
TIP If the fuse does blow again immediately – check the fuses in your appliances again and if all looks good and a fault is not obvious – CALL A FRIENDLY ELECTRICIAN



Next week we will put up a hanging basket on a fence post and a garden wall.


Keep safe


Dave