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Older homes and remodeling jobs use safety fuses in circuits.
Circular screw-in fuses have their rating, in amperes (A), printed on them.
Tube or cartridge fuses typically are user for higher amperage circuits.
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Your home's electrical service panel receives power from the utility company and distributes it throughout your residence through safety circuit breakers (newer homes) or fuses (older homes).
Some subpanels (smaller electrical panels for branch circuits) sometimes use screw-in fuses. Older homes also may.
To replace a screw-in fuse:
- Examine the fuse for tell-tale damage. Screw-in fuses typically have a glass that allows you to inspect the metal strip inside; a damaged strip means the fuse is blown and requires replacement. Note: If the metal strip is broken completely, the circuit was overloaded. If the fuse window is blackened, the cause is a short circuit - meaning that somewhere wires are touching each other or a wire is making contact with metal.
- If you find a fuse that is blown, remove the fuse and replace it with one of the exact amperage (15- 20- or 30-amp).
To replace a cartridge fuse:
- Turn off the power. Use a fuse puller to remove the cartridge fuse.
- Test the cartridge fuse by touching both ends with the probes of a multimeter set to measure resistance. If the fuse tests for low resistance, called continuity, it is good. If not, it has blown.
- Replace the fuse with an exact replacement.
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