Change a Fuse in a Wylex Standard Fuse Box

A fuse is an essential device in any power distribution system because it protects circuits from excessive currents. Each fuse protects a different electrical circuit in the building. If there is a power surge, faulty wiring, or fault with an electrical appliance, the fuse for that electrical circuit will blow, causing you to lose power in that section of the building (and in doing so, possibly preventing a fire). If you have an older home, you may have a fuse box (rather than a circuit breaker), in which case the fuse will need to be fixed in order for the power to be restored. This article shows how a fuse can be changed in a "Wylex standard" fuse box, which is commonly found in older homes in the UK.

Steps

  1. Gather the things you will need. Fuse wire, side cutters, small terminal screwdriver.
  2. Check electrical appliances - When an electrical circuit has blown, you should first check the appliances in that particular area of the room. It could be that a cartridge fuse has blown in a plug, and in turn, blown the circuit fuse by short circuiting. Unplug the appliances and test them in an area that still has power. You don't want to repair the circuit fuse, only to have it break again due to a faulty appliance! Other causes may be overloading such as using too many appliances on a single circuit at the same time.
  3. Locate the fuse box - Your fuse box is generally located next to your electricity meter. If you are unsure of where your fuse box is, you can call your local electricity company and ask them where your fuse box is.
  4. Turn off the master switch
  5. Locate the blown fuse - Some fuse boxes may only have one fuse in them, whereas some fuse boxes will have many fuses in them.
  6. Select the fuse wire or cartridge - If you are changing fuse wire, obtain another fuse wire of the same amperage. Light circuits generally run on 5 amps, immersion heater circuits run on 15-20 amps, and wall socket and cooker circuits run on 30 Amps. Read the markings on the fuse or fuse box to be certain. If in doubt, bring the fuse to a hardware store and find a replacement. See Warnings below.
  7. Replace the fuse. Partially unscrew 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 the first screw, then the second and tighten down the screws. Don't forget to snip off any excess wire.
  8. Replace the fuse - Put the fuse back into the fuse box. The fuse should fit into the fuse box just as easily as you took it out.
  9. Turn on the master switch - Power should now be restored to all parts of the building. If the power fails to turn back on, call your local electrical company and have a representative sent out to help troubleshoot the problem.

Tips

  • If the lights aren't working, use a flashlight when changing a fuse.
  • Don't mix moisture and electricity. Don't stand in the rain, a puddle, or on a wet surface when changing a fuse. Your hands should be dry, as well.
  • You may wish to contact your local electric company if you don't know what size of fuse wire should be used.

Warnings

  • Never use a penny to replace a blown fuse. A penny will not stop a short circuit or overloading (i.e. you have no protection from an electrical fire).
  • Never replace a fuse wire with one of a higher amperage, as this could cause a fire.
  • If you also smell propane or gasoline in your house, you should exit your house and call 999 or the emergency number for your location from the nearest phone.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 flashlight
  • 1 electrical screwdriver
  • 1 fuse wire
  • 1 wire cutters

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Sources and Citations

  • VideoJug.com Original source of this information. Shared with permission.
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