Use the Correct Fuse! How To Work Out and Check You Have the Correct Fuse.
Posted: Monday, April 06, 2009
by Connor Davidson
My Books and Articles (under construction)
A fuse if put in wrongly can kill. You put the wrong fuse in, you pop to the shops then a serious fault occurs in the circuit your house will burn down.
The idea of a fuse is - under normal circumstance - to do nothing at all. However, if a fault occurs the wire inside the fuse burns up creating a gap in the circuit and averting disaster. If you attach a fuse that is rated too low the wire will burn away and the appliance will not work. The main danger is if you attach a fuse that is too high in a circuit - when a fault occurs and abnormal current flows, the fuse will sit there thinking everything is fine while flames are poring out of the windows.
1) Check the appliance for a plaque stating the voltage and power and possibly the current (if it states the current skip steps 2-6)
2) Write them down
3) Ensure the voltage (V) is in volts and the power is in watts (W). If it is in Kilowatts (KW) multiply by 1000 to find the power.
4) Divide power in watts by voltage.
5) Recheck your calculation
6) Check again.
7) If you are still not sure ask.
8) Select a fuse which is closest to; but a little more than the current e.g. if normal current is 9.8 fit a 10A fuse.
9) Always have someone else check you working.
Now you know how to check and replace a fuse.
Connor Davidson 03/06/09
This Article has been viewed 4,226 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Well written. Worth printing out and keeping for future reference. Thank you.Please log in to respond to this comment.You are very right.I think everyone should have a safe house.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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