How To Change A Fuse In A Traditional Fuse Box

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Check electrical appliances

When an electrical circuit has blown you should firstly check the appliances in that particular area. It could be that a cartridge fuse has blown in a plug, and in turn blown the circuit fuse. 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 blow again due to a faulty appliance.

Step 3: Locate the fuse box

Now head for the fuse box, if needs be with the help of your torch.

Your fuse box should be located close to your electricity meter.

Step 4: Turn off the Master Switch

Normally when a fuse blows it is automatically thrown into the off position, but make sure, just in case.

Step 5: Locate the blown fuse

If 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.

Step 6: Select fuse wire

You must replace the fuse wire with a fuse wire of the same amperage.

As a rule these circuits require the following amperage:

Light circuits run on 5 Amps
Immersion heater circuits run on 15-20 Amps
Wall socket and cooker circuits run on 30 Amps

WARNING - Never replace a fuse wire with one of a higher amperage. This could cause a fire.

Step 7: Replace the fuse wire

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.

Make sure you snip off any excess wire.

Step 8: Replace the fuse

Put the fuse back in the fuse box

Step 9: Turn on the master switch