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Safety Tip #1: How to check for, and change, a blown fuse

You have a fuse switch board similar to these, and you have lost power to your power points, or lights etc.:

The purpose of a fuse is to limit the current draw on the subcircuit it provides protection to, so an over current draw does not damage the wiring of the circuit, the fuse element (wire) will rupture (blow) if an over current takes place. This could be caused by simply using to many appliances at once or if a short circuit occurs.

To check if a fuse element has ruptured (blown) follow this suggested sequence:

To replace a fuse element, firstly ascertain what it protects as this will determine the size of wire to be used. Generally the sizes are as follows:

Now you know what size fuse wire to install insert one strand of the wire through the fuse and attach at the screws, making sure no excess wire is hanging off the screws, it should look similar to this:

Please remember that the is fuse is a Safety Device. Never install:
 - the wrong size wire;
 - more than one strand of fuse wire;
 - any wire except fuse wire.

This article is available online at http://www.tnelectrical.com.au/