Men, I need help

[doormouse]

How do I change a fuse?

The fuses are rectangular things, feel a bit like stone. No wires, just two prongs sticking out of them.

How do I tell which one is blown? This is so embarassing, but I have extension leads running all over the place LOL

 

[Colleen Thomas]

In case no man is about, is this a car fuse or a home fuse, or one in an appliance?

-Colly

 

[doormouse]

It's a housefuse. It goes to my PC (so there's another extension lead ), and the kitchen light, freezer...

They're not marked, so I have no idea how to tell which one is blown.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Are you sure you mean fuses and not circut breakers?

Cause it sounds like breakers. In which case you are a lot better off.

 

[doormouse]

Um... LOL

Okay, there are two switches, both turned on. Then there's a row of six of these rectangular looking thingys.

That's my powerboard.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Um... LOL

Okay, there are two switches, both turned on. Then there's a row of six of these rectangular looking thingys.

That's my powerboard.

It sounds like breakers to me. the rectangular thingys have a post of some kind sticking out, no? That post should work like light switch, it has an on and off position. When one trips it usually goes to off, so it will be painted the opposite way of the others. On some breakers, it only kicks a little, if this is the case try each one. On eof them will feel loose. switch it to the off positon (opposite of the others) then back to the on position.

-Colly

 

[McKenna]

I lived in a house once that used fuses. The way I could tell one was blown is that it turned black on the glass face.

I would suggest looking for the fuse that looks different from all the rest, and go from there.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Unless you've got a really old house that hasn't been renovated in the last 50 years, you've got circuit breakers which are resettable and don't have to be replaced like fuses do. If you have no idea which one is blown (usually the switch in a thrown one is a little off compared to a good breaker), then just go through them one by one and flip each switch off then on. That will reset them.

---dr.M.

 

[doormouse]

Unless you've got a really old house that hasn't been renovated in the last 50 years, you've got circuit breakers which are resettable and don't have to be replaced like fuses do. If you have no idea which one is blown (usually the switch in a thrown one is a little off compared to a good breaker), then just go through them one by one and flip each switch off then on. That will reset them.

---dr.M.

Okay, there's only two switches. Both turned to on.

None of them are discoloured (the stone outers). None are loose.

This place is old, no mandatory firewalls between units.

I'll have one more go turning all the power off and see if I can swap a few around until I find the culprit.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

These are definitely not fuses. Or at least none I've ever heard of. They're white without windows to show the red or clear of a blown cb. But two wire post coming off the end is new to me. Maybe this is an Aussie thing? I don't know. It's not any type of wiring I'm familiar with.
Can anyone down under help? I'm at a loss and her freezer is currently running on an extension cord along with others that seem to run off this fuse.

 

[doormouse]

My first home was a 1958, had the old wire fuses.

Second was a brand spankin new one with circuit breakers (I think), just flick a switch.

I've never seen these before. This place is about 28 years old. I might ask in the Aussie thread.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I wish I could help mousey, but there are about a million differnet types of fuses. one possibility is to remove them and shake them, a blown fuse usually rattles, but I would heasitate to suggest doing anything since the panel is hot

 

[doormouse]

I wish I could help mousey, but there are about a million differnet types of fuses. one possibility is to remove them and shake them, a blown fuse usually rattles, but I would heasitate to suggest doing anything since the panel is hot

Seriously, thanks hon. I refuse to let being a single mum beat me.

Heh, I'll be back if I ever need to replace a tap washer LOL

 

[sincerely_helene]

Ever consider going Omish?

 

[nushu2]

Does it look like this?

http://www.bussmann.co.uk/NEW Dual indicator NH/NH Dual Indication Cutaway.jpg

In which case, the red indicator shows it's blown and would have to be replaced.

 

[doormouse]

Does it look like this?

http://www.bussmann.co.uk/NEW Dual indicator NH/NH Dual Indication Cutaway.jpg

In which case, the red indicator shows it's blown and would have to be replaced.

Nothing like it. Similar shape, but with the prongs protruding from the larger flat side.

 

[nushu2]

Sorry, googled around but couldn't find anything that fits your description. Only thing that matched was a snap- in breaker but those had buttons that I'm sure you would have tested. Only other thing I can imagine is that they could be fuse holders, with the fuse inside. Must sleep now.

Crazy Aussie electricians.

 

[doormouse]

Okay, best photo I can get in this light with my cam... damn light is on the same fuse

 

[oggbashan]

I did a search in Yahoo Australia and NZ and found about 4,000 hits for "electrical fuses".

Standards differ from country to country so only Australian advice is likely to be useful.

You could ring your electrical company's help line; or visit your nearest electrical store fluttering your eyelids and playing up the lone woman act. Take one of the fuses with you.

If there is a thin silver wire passing through the block, WHEN IT IS OUT of the fuse box try prying at it with a small screwdriver. If the fuse is blown the wire should pull out because it will be broken inside the casing. A new length of wire of the same rating should be threaded through to replace it.

Og

PS. Best bet is a married neighbour.

 

[oggbashan]

Just seen your pic. There should be a wire running through it or across the protruding white section. It looks as if there is a burn mark on it. If so, that is where the fuse has blown.

Still safest to ask someone local.

Og

 

[doormouse]

Og

PS. Best bet is a married neighbour.

*sigh* Okay, I'm giving in and asking him. Thanks Og. He's just so slimey.. ewww


These things should come with instructions... men wouldn't understand them, but women would

 

[oggbashan]

*sigh* Okay, I'm giving in and asking him. Thanks Og. He's just so slimey.. ewww


These things should come with instructions... men wouldn't understand them, but women would

Ask his WIFE.

Readers Digest publish a book called 'Repair Manual'.

If there is an Australian version of it, it should cover fuses.

Or, visit a DIY store. They should have basic manuals on household electricity. They might even have one called 'Electricity for Women' usually the best for men or women to buy because it explains everything clearly with lots of pictures.

Og

 

[gauchecritic]

Find a fuse which looks the same and compare them, then you can see which is good. If there is no difference then they are either both blown or both good.

Use the same comparison fuse in turn with each of the others til you find a difference.

Gauche

P.S from the look of the picture it should pull out (maybe with some difficulty) Another way is to pull out each fuse in turn and see if anything turns off, then you know the fuse was good. I'm going with Og, that picture looks like a blown fuse to me.